SNN100704 - Upton II Northamptonshire

The evaluation area is centred at NGR: SP 712 586 and lies approximately 3km southwest of Northampton and 1km southeast of the village of Kislingbury, Northamptonshire. The current area of investigation occupies five generally level fields; on which four were arable and one was under rough pasture. At the time of survey, the ground cover in arable fields was a combination of recently ploughed and short stubble. The soils in the northern part of the evaluation area are of the Wick association (541r) and consist of coarse loamy and sandy soils which overlie a parent geology of glaciofluvial or river terrace drift. The southern part of the site comprises clayey soils of the Fladbury 1 association (813b) overlying river alluvium (SSEW, 1983). Although no information is available regarding the presence of any archaeological remains within the application area, previous geophysical investigations (GSB 1999, phase 1) have been carried out immediately to the east. This survey revealed significant archaeological remains in two areas comprising several ring ditches, enclosures and trackways suggesting large prehistoric/ Romano-British settlement. Gradiometry was undertaken in scanning and detailed modes with the aim of identifying any anomalies or archaeological interest within the development area. This survey forms part of a wider archaeological assessment being undertaken by John Samuels Archaeological Consultants. A clearly defined site has been located in the south of the application area, and is comparable to the sites identified in the Phase 1 investigations. The data indicates a core settlement area. There is some evidence to suggest different phases of occupation although later ridge and furrow cultivation complicates the interpretation. Elsewhere only isolated anomalies of possible archaeological interest have been noted with many areas being dominated by response from modern ploughing. Two of the detailed survey blocks in the north of the application area contain broad responses characteristic of magnetic gravels or similar pedological variations.