SNN106787 - AWS Deanshanger to Greatworth Pipeline: Excavation on the Site of Evenley Mill, Evenley, October 2009

In October 2009, an archaeological excavation was carried out by Northamptonshire Archaeology on the site of a post-medieval watermill, near the village of Evenley, Northamptonshire. The excavation formed part of a programme of archaeological investigation along the route of a new pipeline being constructed by Anglian Water Services. In addition, a watching brief was maintained in selected areas along the route of the pipeline during construction works. The excavation identified medieval activity on the site of the watermill, comprising two ditches, a small assemblage of medieval pottery and possibly the remains of a mill race pre-dating the post-medieval channel, suggesting that there may have been a watermill on the site from at least the 12th/13th century, if not earlier. This may be one of the three watermills in Evenley recorded in Domesday Book in AD 1087. The post-medieval watermill and mill race were probably constructed in the 16th/17th century. The remains of the mill buildings were not encountered; map evidence suggests that these probably lie immediately to the west of the site. The mill race, which was visible on the surface as a substantial silted channel with banks on either side, measured approximately 5m wide by 2m deep and extended across the field for a distance of c 240m. On the south side of the mill race were the remains of a drystone revetment wall that dates to the late 17th or 18th century. Excavated evidence, supported by map evidence, suggests that the watermill fell out of use in the early 19th century and that the mill race was deliberately blocked with a dump of blue clay at around this time. In the 19th century the meander in the river eroded the north side of the mill race and lay down a sequence of alluvial deposits across the central and northern parts of the site. The meander was eventually cut off and the channel silted up, with a thick layer of alluvial clay being deposited over the area. In modern times attempts were made to improve the drainage in the field and several land drains were installed. The ground level was also raised in places, with deposits of clay and building debris. The watching brief, undertaken during November and December 2009, encountered no archaeological remains, other than those of a post-medieval drystone wall and features previously identified by trial trench evaluation.