Monument record 6945/0/1 - Undated paleochannels

{1} A paleochannel, cut into the natural clay, over 8.7m wide and between 0.4m and 0.76m deep, and assymetrical. The sides sloped gradually and gently forming a broad feature with a shallow uneven base and a minor channel on its west side, typical of the braded channels of the Nene valley. Another paleochannel was found on a parallel alignment. It is likely to have been part of the same watercourse, of similar age. It was 3m wide by 0.38m deep. Neither channel showed any signs of deliberate water management.
Both channels produced small quantities of animal bone, which could not be dated. This may indicated the dumping of domestic waste but the lack of other finds suggests this was not an intensely used area of ground when the stream was in existence. The proximity of the medieval settlement remains to the south and the fact that medieval domestic waste is usually widespread tend to suggest that the water channel predated medieval Welton and had ceased to exist by that time.

<1> Brown, J., 2010, Palaeochannel Deposits at Ashlyn, Kiln Lane, Welton, Northamptonshire, 2010, p.6 (checked) (Report). SNN107148.

<2> Chapman P. (Ed.), 2012, Archaeology in Northamptonshire, 2010, 37/208 (checked) (Article). SNN108374.

Record last edited

Dec 19 2012 11:36AM