SNN101380 - Watling Street, Towcester, Flood Alleviation Scheme, Archaeological Evaluation

An archaeological evaluation involving a desk-based assessment and trial excavation was undertaken on land off Watling Street, Towcester, Northamptonshire. Of the eight trenches excavated across the development area, only two contained archaeological features. A possible boundary ditch of 2nd century date was uncovered towards the centre of the development area, and an undated cobble surface in a nearby trench may have been contemporary. However, trial trenching confirmed that the northern suburbs of Roman Towcester were not located in this area. Similarly, there was no evidence for Roman, Saxon, medieval or Civil War town defences in the southern part of the development area, and the remains of Roman and later Watling Street were not encountered. Structural evidence for the Roman, Saxon, and medieval bridges or fords which crossed the River Tove has been recovered previously, but due to modern constraints it was not possible to investigate the areas close to the river. There is documentary evidence for structures situated near the North Bridge in the medieval period. The North Mill, St Leonard’s leper hospital, its chapel and presumably an associated burial ground are all recorded in this area. The robbed out remains of a substantial medieval wall and associated surfaces uncovered to the south of the river, may represent the site of the leper hospital. The archaeological levels were sealed by alluvial deposits. The northern part of the development area has been subjected to post-medieval and modern landscaping, associated with a 19th century railway embankment and re-routing of the River Tove, which has reduced the ground level.