SNN103613 - Land off The Cottons Rockingham Northamptonshire: Archaeological Recording Action

Albion Archaeology was commissioned by Deejak Builders (Rushden) Ltd to undertake and archaeological recording action in advance of the erection of several buildings near the northern limit of Rockingham.Prior to development the site consisted of two distinct areas, bounded by Main Street to the west and a curving lane 'The Cottons' to the east. The western land parcel consisted of a disused farmyard with a paddock to the east. The paddock contained relatively well-preserved remains of ridge and furrow cultivation. The earliest evidence for utilisation of the area is a possible prehistoric pit identified in the evaluation. As this feature was not exposed by the subsequent development, it was decided to preserve the pit in situ. A substantial ditch separated the ridge and furrow from the western area. This was very close to the existing boundary fence. The only medieval feature identified within the western land parcel was a slightly curving, recut ditch in the north of the area. It is probable that the pit identified during the evaluation was actually a continuation of the curving ditch. The majority of archaeological features exposed were post-medieval or later in date. The western land parcel had been severely affected by Victorian disturbance, which had modified the topography of this area, with a raised terrace to the south and an extensive depression to the north. Traces of a substantial building, though to be domestic in form and dating to the 17th-18th centuries. This building is not depicted on any maps. A well was also found in proximity to other walls. The proximity of this building to the well suggest that they were not related. Investigation of the ruined barn to the east revealed evidence that it had been modified over time. Extensive quarrying extended across the two land parcels in the central northern part of the site. From the excavation of the service trenches along the adjacent roads, it would appear that traces of hollow-ways were present Gretton Road and Main Street. The topography of the Cottons suggests that it too may have been set within the base of a depression, possibly the remnants of another hollow-way.