SNN102325 - Pitsford Quarry (Stage 1), Northamptonshire: An Assessment And Updated Project Design

A Watching Brief carried out during topsoil stripping in advance of quarrying in Bottom Sheep Dale Field, Pitsford, recorded settlement remains including enclosures and ring gullies, extending over an area of more than a hectare, as well as a pit alignment comprising 32 pits. Archaeological recording confirmed that the settlement remains were predominantly of late Middle Iron Age date. The pit alignment predated some of the Iron Age enclosures but was otherwise undated. Extensive re-cutting of the enclosure ditches and ring gullies indicated that several phases of activity were represented. A small assemblage of Middle Iron Age pottery and even smaller assemblage of faunal remains and ecofacts were recovered. Several of the enclosure ditches and ring gullies, as well as the pit alignment, appeared to extend southwards beyond the excavated area. As the southern are is due to be quarried in the near future it is suggested that post-excavation analysis should be postponed until the full extent of the archaeological remains in this field can be established and a suitable strategy for recording analysis and publication can be determined.