SNN109170 - Marsh Spinney, Moulton, Northampton: Geophysical Survey Report

In June 2013, Wardell Armstrong Archaeology, commissioned by Roundhill Northampton Ltd, undertook geophysical surveys of land at Moulton, Northampton (centred on ordnance Survey grid reference SP 479019 266515), prior to a proposed housing development. An Archaeological and Cultural Heritage Assessment has been undertaken by Wardell Armstrong LLP, which determined that although there are no known archaeological sites within the proposed development area, the wider landscape contains evidence of prehistoric and Romano-British activity, as well as medieval agricultural practice. There remains a possibility that sub surface features dating from as early as the Iron Age could be present within the proposed development area. The objective of the geophysical surveys was to determine the presence/absence, nature and extent of potential archaeological features within the study area, which may affect the results. Geomagnetic surveys covering c.4.4ha of land were conducted within part of a larger pastoral field located towards the northeast edge of Moulton. The presence of a building site within the land immediately to the east of the site produced strong dipolar magnetic anomalies along the eastern periphery of the study area due to the presence of heavy plant and large spoil heaps of demolition material. A possible field drain was noted towards the southern aspect of the study area following an east to west alignment. The geomagnetic surveys detected the remnants of medieval ridge and furrow cultivation across the majority of the site following a northwest to southeast alignment, along with the modern plough texture towards the eastern extent of the study area, following a northeast to southwest alignment. No significant archaeological features were detected during the surveys.