Monument record 7071/0/1 - Possible early modern industrial features

Geophysical survey indicated the presence of highly magnetised features. Subsequent trial trench excavation found four parallel ditches aligned north-west to south-east. The fills of the ditches appeared to contain fire-affected clays. No dating evidence was recovered.

{1} This field is dominated by a pair of highly magnetised features in the south of the area. These have few diagnostic characteristics, but could represent an area of industrial activity. Curving away to the north of that is a broad anomaly that may be interpreted as a track, though the iron or pipeline detected apparently flanking the east side of the track may suggest an early modern date for the features. The north of the area contains a confusion of ferrous or seramic anomalies, together with several highly magnetic features.

{2} The area of magnetic noise cannot be securely dated, but the fact that it lies at the junction of two former field boundaries suggests that it may be of relatively recent origin.

{3} A trial trench was excavated in the area of the anomalies which identified four parallel ditches. The features were not excavated but the fills comprised black-red clays indicative of burning.

<1> Butler A., 2007, Geophysical Survey at Towcester Vale, Towcester, Northamptonshire, March 2007, p.7 (checked) (Report). SNN105999.

<2> Walford J., 2012, Archaeological Geophysical Survey of the Proposed 'Towcester Vale' Development Area, Towcester, Northamptonshire March-April 2012, p. 5 (Report). SNN109219.

<3> Fairman, A, Wolframm-Murray, Y, & Pennell, C, 2020, Archaeological trial trench evaluation at Towcester South (Trenches 22-50), Towcester, Northamptonshire (Report). SNN113858.

Record last edited

Oct 24 2024 3:56PM