Monument record 5067/0/1 - Medieval/post-medieval drainage ditches, south of Upton

A series of drainage ditches extending south from Upton deserted settlement. Initially interpreted as Iron Age, subsequent excavation has confirmed a later origin.

{1} A gently curving positive linear anomaly detected north west to south south east indicated a ditch. After terminating midway south in the field, a very similar ditch was located again aligned to the southern boundary of the field and also containing a second ditch anomaly orientated perpendicular, to the west for c.45m.
The geophysical anomaly was seen in trenches 51, 59, 60 and 62. Rising ground water in trenches 51 and 59 prevented its excavation. In trench 60 it was seen as a gully 0.9m wide by 0.38m deep and in trench 62 is was a ditch 1.65m wide by 0.34m deep. It contained no finds in either excavated section.
Although undated, the ditch was interpreted as a possible field boundary associated with the later prehistoric (probably Iron Age) remains in the rest of the field.

{2} Archaeological excavation prior to housing development identified a series of drainage ditches aligned north to south. They extended from Upton Deserted Medieval village which is located directly to the north of the site. These ditches merged into each other in several areas but could be traced for around 250m.

Wolframm-Murray, Y, Burke, J, and Atkins, R, 2021, Archaeological Excavation and Strip, Map and Sample on land at Upton Park South of Weedon Road Northampton (Report). SNN113097.

Wolframm-Murray, Y, Burke, J, and Atkins, R, 2023, Bronze Age barrow and pit alignments at Upton Park, south of Weedon Road, Northampton (Monograph). SNN115670.

<1> Mason P., 2011, Archaeological Evaluation at Upton Park, Weedon Road, Northampton, January-March 2011, p.6, 41&45, 50 (checked) (Report). SNN108179.

<2> Wolframm-Murray, Y, & Burke, J, 2020, Archaeological Excavation and Strip, Map and Sample on land at Upton Park, South of Weedon Road, Northamptonshire: Updated Project Design (Report). SNN112627.

Record last edited

Nov 27 2023 2:17PM