Monument record 46/9/12 - Post medieval water channel, College Farm

A stone-lined culvert or drain was identified during archaeological investigations prior to development of the site. The feature may be associated with a water-channel depicted on late 17th- and mid 18th-century maps.

{1} A stone-lined drain or culvert aligned approx north-south. The culvert comprised two walls each about 0.2m wide with a channel 0.4m wide between. The channel was capped with limestone slabs, some of which were still in situ. The channel was filled with silt. No dating evidence was recovered.

The water channel and associated structure may be part of the artificial water course shown on maps of 1696 and 1763. The watercourse shown on the 1763 map ran from the north west corner of the walled orchard then swung across the field to the west.

{4} The stone culvert and the north-south aligned robber trench recorded in the evaluation were also revealed during the subsequent watching brief. These were recorded in plan and the culvert also recorded in section. Photographs were taken but no further recording was considered necessary as the features had already been fully characterised in the evaluation report.
The excavation of the foundation trenches for the new garages revealed the northern continuation of the north-south aligned stone culvert and robber trench.

<1> Scott, I., 1999, College Farm, Aynho, Northamptonshire, Archaeological Evaluation Report, p.7 (checked) (Report). SNN101731.

<2> 1696/1720, The Topographical Descripton of the Lordship of the Manor of Aynho, Being the Land of Thomas Cartwright Esquire (NRO Map 4612 C(A)6268 (Map of Aynho)), (unchecked) (Map). SNN109339.

<3> 1763, The Magdalen College Estate Map, (unchecked) (Map). SNN55237.

<4> Bashford, R., 2001, College Farm, Aynho, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Watching Brief Report, p.6 (checked) (Report). SNN101391.

Record last edited

Jan 19 2021 2:06PM