Monument record 9749/0/2 - Natural feature, Gipsy Lane

An undated ring ditch associated with two internal pits was identified during geophysical survey and in subsequent trial trench excavation. Subsequent excavation found that the feature was natural in origin, perhaps a frost polygon or ice wedge.

{2} The undated ring ditch in Trench 19 was a substantial feature, with an internal diameter of 9.5m, positioned on a false crest on the rising land if viewed from the south-west of the site. There was no evidence for mound material within the overlying sequence nor were indicative slipped deposits identified within the ditches. The two possible pits in the interior are likely to relate to its use as there were no other similar features encountered within the trenches. It is possible that this ring ditch was a prehistoric monument otherwise isolated within this area. However, the possibility that it was a later feature, possibly a windmill ditch cannot be ruled out.

{3} Excavation revealed a circular feature, appearing as a faint ring of silty material and when excavated produced no artefactual material or clear edges. The internal features identified previoulsy could not be relocated. It is considered likely that the feature is a result of a periglacial phenomenon, such as an ice wedge or frost polygon.

<1> Attwood, G, 2014, Geophysical Survey Report G1488 Land at Gipsy Lane, Kettering (Report). SNN110472.

<2> Chinnock, C., 2015, Trial trench evaluation on land at Gipsy Lane, Kettering, Northamptonshire, May 2015, p. 13 (Report). SNN110473.

<3> Orellana, J, 2022, Land west of Gipsy Lane, Kettering, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Strip, Map and Sample Excavation, https://doi.org/10.5284/1112456 (Report). SNN114847.

Record last edited

Jul 23 2024 2:56PM