SNN110675 - Land off the A45, Little Irchester, Northamptonshire, Detailed Gradiometer Survey Report

A detailed gradiometer survey of the Site identified anomalies of clear archaeological interest as well as other areas of archaeological potential (WA 2015a). The majority of the certain and possible archaeological features were located in the southwestern part of the survey area and appear to show an area of enclosed settlement. These anomalies represent primarily ditch-like features which were interpreted as evidence for former enclosures or land divisions. The different alignments of the features are thought to indicate several phases of occupation. Associated with these ditch-like features are a number of pit-like anomalies which may provide indirect evidence for the presence of structures. Several trends were also identified in the survey, but due to their weak magnetic response, it is unclear if these represent features of archaeological origin. An area of geological responses and a larger area of increased magnetic response in the southern part of the survey area correspond with the location of a ‘stone pit’ marked on historic maps, and this been interpreted as historic quarrying. The survey also revealed anomalies indicative of ridge-and-furrow agriculture across the Site, though it was unclear if this pattern of anomalies related to medieval agriculture or possibly ironstone quarrying which has left similar traces elsewhere in the surrounding area.