SNN102134 - Kings Meadow Lane, Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by the Oxford Archaeological Unit, on behalf of the Duchy of Lancaster, on land to the N of Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire (NGR: SP 958693 apprx. – see fig. 1). The evaluation was commissioned in order to assess the archaeological impact of a proposed housing development for which outline planning permission has been granted (EN 88/596). It was planned as a complement by the Northamptonshire Archaeological Unit (NAU) in the same field ('Archaeological Evaluation on Duchy of Lancaster Land at Higham Ferrers, Northants'; Shaw and Steadman, NAU March 1991). The evaluation conducted by the NAU had investigated 42ha and had identified activity spanning the prehistoric to medieval periods. Of particular importance was the evidence of early, middle and late Anglo-Saxon settlement covering 5ha. In the southern part of Field 1 (see Fig.2). Because of the large size of the site, the quantity of finds recovered, the apparent continuity of settlements in this area, and in particular because of their association with an early/middle Anglo-Saxon oval enclosure, the site was considered to be of national significance. However, the North and West extent of the activity had remained imprecisely defined and the present evaluation was undertaken to resolve this question.