SNN105984 - Proposed Processing Plant, Elton Estate, Northamptonshire: An Archaeological Evaluation

In July 2007 Archaeological Solutions Ltd conducted an archaeological evaluation at the proposed processing plant on the Elton Estate, Warmington, Northamptonshire. The site occupies five hectares of land proposed for a new minerals processing plant associated with the construction of the adjacent agricultural reservoir. The site contains cropmarks (recorded on the Northamptonshire Sites and Monuments Record) that have been interpreted as prehistoric trackways, boundaries and enclosures. These features may prove to be part of a prehistoric landscape of some significance. It is possible that they may be related to Neolithic Activity, which is evidenced in the area by a burial cairn containing at least five different individuals, or to a number of other cropmark features that have been interpreted as Bronze Age ring ditches and barrow. Struck flint suggestive of the Neolithic and Bronze Age periods was found during a field walking survey. A previous field-walking survey in 1991 (SMR 5810; 6070) only recorded post-medieval pottery being present. A cluster of three struck flint flakes, a core, two broken blades and a scraper were present in towards the south-western sector of the site. This may indicate that flint tool preparation or knapping occurred in this area of the site, and may indicate the presence of subsurface prehistoric remains. The evaluation revealed a series of ditches which form a field system of Iron Age date. A small quantity of postholes were identified possibly representing associated structures. A ring ditch was identified that most likely represents the remains of a ploughed out barrow. Several peri-glacial channels were also present.