Monument record 727/0/3 - Possible Medieval/Post Medieval Ponds

{1} 1979 air photos. Enclosure ditches and rectangular hollows which may be the remains of ponds (G. Foard); NCCAP:6948/010.

{2} The evaluations of 1990 also sampled a ditch and bank earthwork traversing the meadow (727/10/1). Date and function was not firmly ascertained.
Topographical survey of the earthwork suggests that it is related to water management concerned with the feeding of ponds. A post medieval date is likely.

{3} A survey was undertaken in 1992 by Cotswold Archaeological Trust; medieval fishpond earthworks; water channel and possible artificial island; one of the ponds contained waterlogged environmental, artefactual and ?structural evidence; probably abandoned in the late 17th century.

{4} Visible remains of low, linear rectangular and irregular earthworks. Indeterminate date. Also dumping of material associated with the digging of the adjacent mill leat.
The principal earthwork feature (A) is a bank with a ditch on its north-east side. It runs from the north-west end of the site by the River Tove to the south-east end, where it turns towards the mill leat. It appears to have been recut. This ditch and bank formed the most prominent feature of the geophysical survey. A parallel feature to the south-west is believed to be a (modern?) sewer trench.
Enclosed behind the bank and ditch is a rectangular depression embanked to its north and south (B). A small channel exits to the main ditch. This was identified as a pond.
A further group of small irregular depressions of uncertain function (C), may also have been ponds.
A further infilled pond, respected by upcast from the mill leat, was identified (D), as well as a smaller one to the north-west (E).
Excavation within the largest pond confirmed it as a possible medieval/post medieval fishpond with puddled clay lining. The pond dates no later than 1650 AD, when it began to be used as a rubbish dump. Remains of wattle panels also found may indicate fences subdividing the pond into bays. More detail of the water management system given.

<1> Northamptonshire SMR Collection of Aerial Photographs, (unchecked) (Photographs). SNN104822.

<2> COTSWOLD ARCHAEOLOGICAL TRUST, 1992, Towcester Retail Development, Northamptonshire, Stage 1: Archaeological Assessment, p.9-10, 19, 20-1 (checked) (Draft). SNN70046.

<3> 1992, SMR Report Form, (part checked) (SMR Report Form). SNN48974.

<4> Walker G., 1992, Towcester Retail Development, Northamptonshire: Report on The Results of An Archaeological Evaluation, p.1+5-6, 23-6 (checked) (Report). SNN70243.

<5> Walker G., 1993, Towcester Retail Development: Interim Report on the Results of an Archaeological Evaluation, p.8 (checked) (Interim Report). SNN60080.

<6> COTSWOLD ARCHAEOLOGICAL TRUST, 1993, Towcester Retail Development: Archaeological Evaluation Appendices 1 to 8, (checked) (Appendix). SNN60079.

<7> Kidd S., 1993, Towcester Retail Development, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Planning Assessment, p.12 (checked) (Report). SNN40438.

<8> Beresford C., 1993, Easton Neston, Northamptonshire: Historical Assessment of the Park, (part checked) (Full Report). SNN59608.

<9> Beresford C., 1992, SMR Report form, (part checked) (SMR Report Form). SNN107415.

Record last edited

May 25 2011 12:34PM