SNN101514 - Ancient Woodland Project: Archaeological Survey (Northamptonshire, Peterborough and Milton Keynes Forests, Archaeological Interpretation Survey, Part 4)

An archaeological fieldwork survey of the remaining Northamptonshire, Milton Keynes and Peterborough woodlands in the care of Forest Enterprise was made in the winter and spring of 2001 as part of the Ancient Woodland Project. Previous information from archaeological records and documentary sources was checked, and all the woodland compartments were systematically searched, where ground conditions allowed, for sites and earthworks, both the linear banks of medieval coppices and the remains of features likely to be of a different date. A list of the woods visited and the remains discovered is presented in a gazetteer. It was found that the medieval coppice boundary banks are fairly well preserved, and in some woods there are other remains. Other well preserved sites, such as medieval or earlier charcoal burning hearths, while lacking earthworks, are likely to exist but would require more intensive survey involving test pitting or similar strategy to identify. The significance of all the earthworks is discussed and recommendations suggested for their management within the framework of the Ancient Woodland Project.