SNN110326 - Further archaeological evaluation for the A45 Northampton to Daventry Link Road, January 2015

Investigations combining geophysical survey, trial trench excavation, fieldwalking and palaeoenvironmental assessment re-examined the proposed route of the A45 Northampton to Daventry Link Road, Northamptonshire, following its realignment to avoid two significant archaeological sites. Geophysical survey and trial trench excavations produced little further evidence for archaeological features within the realigned route. The continuation of a possible Neolithic ditch was confirmed, north of Flore. An undated, but possibly late Iron Age trackway with flanking ditches was identified north of Weedon Bec. No new archaeological sites were identified. Geoarchaeological augering was undertaken to enable an overall palaeoenvironmental assessment of the cross-section of the valley, north of Weedon Bec. The valley sides indicated poor areas for the preservation of organic remains, whilst the floodplain contained areas of silty clay overlying peat with a high potential to preserve plant macrofossils, pollen and mollusc remains. The scatter of worked flint to the north-west of Colinshill Farm, Flore, was the subject of fieldwalking. The worked flint was concentrated in an area on the brow of the hill, beyond the development on the north side of the proposed road corridor. Medieval pottery was also recovered, confirming a distribution of manure scatters.