SNN105015 - Archaeological Watching Brief & Metal Detecting Survey at Northampton, Beck's Meadow February 2001

An archaeological watching brief and metal detecting survey were conducted at Beck's Meadow, on the floodplain of the River Nene in Northampton in February 2001 during shallow groundworks for a series of nature conservation scrapes. Lying within the boundary of the 1460 battle of Northampton, as defined by English Heritage's battlefield Register, the main objective was to verify whether any archaeological remains were present within the scrapes , in particular any remains associated with the 15th century battle. In the event, whilst some recent metalwork and features were recorded, no significant earlier archaeological discoveries were made. On present evidence, it is considered that the horizons exposed were largely if not soley the product of modern activity, most likely resulting from a combination of ground works associated with canalisation of the river, flood protection and road and rail construction