SNN110417 - Trial trench evaluation on land at Warth Park, Phase 3, Raunds, Northamptonshire, September - November 2015

MOLA Northampton was commissioned by CgMs Consulting to carry out archaeological trial trenching on land at Warth Park, Phase 3, Raunds prior to proposed development. One hundred and twenty-six trenches were excavated, with archaeological features present in thirty-four of the trenches. A previously known prehistoric henge was re-examined, with the outer ditch showing a complex sequence of silting, possibly suggesting the presence of an external bank, while the stony fills and recutting of the inner ditch also indicates the presence of an outer bank. The only finds were four worked flint from the outer ditch. A small group of sherds from an early Bronze Age vessel with twisted cord decoration, and two flints, came from a trench 150m to the west of the henge. A number of trenches produced Iron Age and Roman pottery, suggesting the presence of Iron Age and Roman activity to the west of the henge, a small focus of Iron Age activity to the north-east of the henge, and some further Iron Age activity towards the eastern end of the development area. Extensive medieval to post-medieval ridge and furrow cultivation was also observed across the site.