SNN106249 - Proposed Processing Plant, Elton Estate, Northamptonshire: A 'Strip, Map and Sample' Archaeological Excavation Interim Site Narrative

From October to December 2007 AS Ltd conducted an archaeological excavation at the proposed processing plant on the Elton Estate, Warmington, Northamptonshire. The site occupies c.3 hectares of land proposed for a new minerals processing plant associated with the construction of the adjacent agricultural reservoir. The site contained cropmarks (recorded on the Northamptonshire SMR) that have been interpreted as prehistoric trackways, boundaries and enclosures. It was anticipated that these features might prove to be part of a significant prehistoric landscape. Struck filnt suggestive of flint tool preparation or knapping in the Neolithic and Bronze Age periods was found during a field walking survey at the site. A geophysical survey confirmed the presence of features shown on aerial photographs, and revealed further features some of which indicated two phases of possible agricultural activity (Stratascan 2006). The evaluation revealed a series of ditches forming an Iron Age field system with evidence for associated structures. Evidence suggestive of a ploughed out barrow and several pre-glacial channels were also present. The excavation revealed a total of 83 features across the site consisting of 1 inhumation, 1 cremation, 10 ditches, 47 pits and post holes, 14 furrows, 7 field drains, a paleochannel, and a sediment-filled depression. 44 of the features remain undated. The archaeology yielded evidence of four periods of activity: late Neolithic/ Early Bronze Age (phase 1), Iron Age through to the 1st century AD (phase 2), medieval (phase 3) and post-medieval activity (phase 4).