SNN100405 - Archaeological Evaluation Excavation At Pineham Barn, Upton, Northamptonshire

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Type Report
Title Archaeological Evaluation Excavation At Pineham Barn, Upton, Northamptonshire
Author/Originator
Date/Year 2000
SMR Input Date (use for label searches) 19/02/2013

Abstract/Summary

30 archaeological trial trenches were excavated within an area of 65 hectares of agricultural land proposed for development at Pineham Barn, Upton, near Northampton (NGR: SP 7140 5850, figs 1 and 2). The purpose of the trenches was to test for the survival of significant archaeological remains within the area, and to provide an indication of the importance, date and extent of such remains. Previous archaeological work on the site - which comprised a desk-top assessment of existing archaeological knowledge, systematic surface collection of pottery and other artefacts, and geophysical survey - suggested that the remains of two settlements survived within the site, one apparently of Middle to Late Iron Age date and the other of Roman date. With the exception of a possibile discrete group of pits, perhaps of Roman date, the remainder of the site did not appear to contain significant archaeological remains. These conclusions were borne out by trial trenching. About half of the trenches were targetted on the two suspected settlements and possible pit cluster. The remainder were distributed in apparantly archaeologically 'blank' areas throughout the site to test for the survival of hitherto unsuspected remains. The existence of the two settlements and the pit cluster was confirmed, and information was gained on their character, date, likely extent, quality of survival, significance and archaeological potential. In other areas of the site all the trenches proved to be archaeologically sterile. Both the settlements are farmsteads, and appear to have relatively well-defined boundaries. The Middle to Late Iron Age settlement (fig.3) comprised a series of rectilinear enclosures, some of which contained the remains of roundhouses. There were also numerous pits. The Romano-British settlement (fig 4) was somewhat different in character, consisting of a tight cluster of enclosures with associated trackways. Direct evidence of buildings was in this case absent, but this is probably a reflection of the small-scale nature of the excavations. Both settlements were probably occupied over a considerable period of time and their plans are likely to represent several phases of development. The remains are relatively well preserved, with a central hearth being reported from one of the roundhouses of the Iron Age settlement in an earlier investigation, and a road or yard surface being uncovered within the Roman settlement in the present investigations. A programme for sampling for charred plant remains indicated a good potential for futrue excavations to provide evidence of the economy of the settlements and the character of the surround landscape. Animal bones were preserved on the Roman settlement. It is concluded that the settlements are of local and county archaeological importance and, as such, an archaeological mitigation strategy of the kind suggested in paragrpah 30 of PPG16 (DoE1990) may be applicable in this situation. This could involve excavation and a watching brief during development, through the final decision on any mitigation strategy must rest with Northamptonshire Heritage in discussion with JSAC on behalf of the client. The evaluation and earlier investigations provide sufficient information for a well-informed and focused programme of archaeological investigations to be designed.

External Links (1)

Description

Copy on CD located in CD filing cabinet.

Location

NCC Archives Service, Heritage Team SMR Library

Referenced Monuments (4)

  • Iron Age settlement (Settlement 1), Pineham (Monument)
  • Romano-British and Anglo-Saxon Settlement, Pineham (Monument)
  • Undated Ditch (Monument)
  • Undated ditch/ pit (Monument)

Referenced Events (1)

Record last edited

Feb 26 2021 11:57AM

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