Monument record 8860/0/1 - Medieval/ post medieval field boundary

{1} A ditch was found on the north east side of the hedgerow. It was c.2.3m wide and 0.82m deep with a broad V-shaped profile and a rounded base. No artefactual material was recovered. The hedgerow on the south side of the ditch was almost contiguous with the line of the cut. The topsoil was slightly deeper immediately south of the boundary, probably due to the build up of a plough headland, although it is possible that there was a remnant bank here.

The only features of possible archaeological interest were the bank and ditch in trench 3. The bank is visible as a feature extending in a westerly direction as far as Catch Yard farm. A boundary is shown here on the 17th century Whittlewood map, forming the southern limit of an enclosure covering nearly 19ha. It is unclear whether the bank and ditch are original medieval/ early post medieval features but the maturity of the hedgerow trees surmounting the bank would indicate that it is of some antiquity.

<1> Carlyle-Lancaster S., 2001, A43 Towcester To M40 Dualling Project: Archaeological Excavation Of Three Field Boundaries, Silverstone, pp.6-8 (checked) (Report). SNN101215.

<2> MUDD A., 2002, A43 Towcester to M40 Dualling Project Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire Post-Excavation Assessment and Updated Project Design, 2002, p.8 (checked) (Report). SNN103239.

Record last edited

May 6 2011 11:09AM