SNN108336 - Archaeological Evaluation on Land at Priors Hall, Zone 3, Corby, Northamptonshire December 2010 to February 2011

Between December 2010 to February 2011, an archaeological trial trench evaluation was carried out by Northamptonshire Archaeology on land at Priors Hall Zone 3, Corby, Northamptonshire. The works were undertaken for Wardell Armstrong LLP on behalf of Bela Partnership Ltd. The evaluation was carried out in response to the submission of a planning application for the development of the land. This followed on from a previous stage of geophysical survey. A second stage of geophysical survey was carried out as part of the current works. Ninety-four trenches were excavated across the proposed development area, which were bisected by a deer fence. Fifty one trenches lay to the north of the deer fence and forty-three to the south. The northern trenches contained no archaeological features, only furrows from medieval ridge and furrow cultivation and modern plough scars. To the south there were two areas of archaeological interest; prehistoric remains comprising an enclosure and a Bronze Age round barrow, at the west of the development area. In the centre of the development area, there is a complex of Roman stone buildings and enclosures. The evidence points to the presence of at least one high status building, a villa, which may contain intact floors. Quantities of painted wall plaster and other building materials were recovered. The other stones buildings, probably contemporary and associated with the villa, lie nearby. Metalworking debris indicates that iron smelting was being carried out in the vicinity.