Monument record 4341/0/1 - Medieval/Post Medieval Tofts (Morphed Aerial Archaeology Interpretation)

Earthwork: Non-destructive fieldwork

{2} Village earthworks to south-west of Hall and north of and around the isolated church, covering a large area. Consist mainly of sub-rectangular closes or platforms bounded by low scarps and banks or by shallow ditches.

{4} Survey area 1 (east end of earthworks): Square and rectilinear arrangements of positive linear anomalies relate to ditched enclosures surrounding and defining a relatively quiet square area. These smaller enclosures appear to be associated with rectangular zones of increased magnetic activity that may possibly indicate the plots of timber building constructions of individual crofts within medieval tofts, with dimensions ranging in size from 8x12m to 14x22m. Along the S side of the hollow-way as far as the N-S route-way, medieval occupation appears to continue but the enclosure system seems more fragmented with a fairly weak magnetic response. There are again suggestions of further structures within the enclosures in this area but precise interpretation of these details is uncertain.
Survey area 4 (north west end of earthworks): Positive linear magnetic responses at [M35] define a large enclosure in the NW of Area 4. Very strong responses at the N extent may be indicative of burning or industrial activity. Just E of here two parallel linear positive anomalies [M36] are similar to responses to track-ways elsewhere on this site. To the SW and SE evidence for further enclosures has been recorded. Immediately to the S two weaker parallel anomalies [M41] probably represent an E-W track-way. In all of the enclosures considerable magnetic activity in the form of discrete pit-type anomalies and raised areas of response on the platforms has been noted. The area bounded by anomalies [M35-41] does not contain any obvious response to rectilinear enclosures despite contrary evidence in the earthwork and AP surveys. Instead two parallel positive anomalies run -N-S at [M42]. To the NW strong magnetic anomalies [M43j could well be industrial in nature. To the SW of [M42] an area of raised response and linear anomalies [M44] is indicative of a significant complex of occupation, though the specific nature of this is unclear.

<1> Supplementary File, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN52260.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1981, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.111 (checked) (Series). SNN77381.

<3> Northamptonshire SMR Collection of Aerial Photographs, Used with NMR & CUCAP collections (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN104822.

<4> Martin, L. & Payne, A., 2005, Kelmarsh Hall, Northamptonshire: Report on Geophysical Survey May and August 2005, p.5 (unchecked) (Report). SNN105412.

Record last edited

Jun 4 2010 10:42AM