SNN102437 - Archaeological Evaluation & Watching Brief on Land Off Islington Road, Towcester, Northamptonshire

An archaeological evaluation and watching brief was undertaken on a plot of land off Islington Road, Towcester, Northamptonshire. Evidence for marginal domestic ‘backyard’ activity, broadly dating to the Roman period and probably associated with dwellings fronting onto Watling Street, was uncovered. There was no evidence for industrial activity. These remains were sealed by a buried soil horizon, up to 0.6m thick, which extended over the entire site. This layer appears to date to the late Roman or later Roman periods, and its formation is probably associated with a change from suburban settlement to agricultural land use. It is unlikely to be alluvial in origin. Evidence for later activity was restricted to two large pits dating to the 17th century or later, and the construction of a boundary wall of similar date. NB. REPORT SUGGESTS THAT ONE OF THE PITS MAY HAVE BEEN AN ANTI-CAVALRY DEFENCE ASSOCIATED WITH THE CIVIL WAR DEFENCES AT TOWCESTER. M.FLITCROFT.