Monument record 3150 - Probable post-medieval field boundaries

Possible archaeological features were identified by a geophysical survey. Subsequent trial trench excavation indicated a probable post-medieval date, although a single sherd of Iron Age pottery was found in one.

{1} Geophysical survey identified a small number of possible archaeological features. Weakly positive linear anomalies can be seen loosely forming three sides of an undated irregular enclosure. The irregular shape and absence of one side casts some doubt on this interpretation. However, the ridge and furrow seen in the northern half of the field may have erased or obscured other parts of the enclosure. Two anomalies seem to represent undated ditches. They are roughly parallel, aligned north west to south east. The westernmost is visible as a clear positive anomaly unlike the other which has a particularly weak signature. Some isolated anomalies have been highlighted as of potential archaeological interest based on the size and strength of the magnetic response. Whilst far from certain, these may reflect pits or other isolated features of an unknown date.

{2} Subsequent trial trenching indicated that the possible enclosure may have been separate features. The southern ditch, a wide V-shape, contained a single sherd of prehistoric pottery. The northern ditch, a wide-U-shape, contained three sherds of post-medieval pottery. However, the prehistoric pottery may have been residual.
Another one other of the possible ditches was observed during subsequent trial trenching. It contained fragments of clay tobacco-pipe.

<1> Chinnock, C., 2013, Archaeological Geophysical Survey of Land West of Northampton Road, Harpole, Northamptonshire August 2013 (Report). SNN109128.

<2> Hewitt G., 2014, Archaeological trial trench evaluation at Northampton Road, Harpole, Northamptonshire, April 2014, p.7 (Report). SNN110071.

Record last edited

Apr 5 2022 4:53PM