SNN110752 - Archaeological desk-based assessment: Daventry Ring Main, Daventry, 2007

In November 2007, Archaeological Services and Consultancy Ltd (ASC) carried out an archaeological desk-based assessment of two phases of a proposed water main in Daventry, Northamptonshire,to inform the need for archaeological mitigation during construction. Although the route of the pipeline mainly follows existing roads, its eastern end passes very close to the Scheduled Ancient Monument of Burnt Walls, which comprises a possible Norman motte and bailey castle on the site of an earlier defended site. The pipeline route also crosses the line of a Saxon boundary, adjacent to Burnt Walls, and passes close to the site of John of Gaunt’s Castle and a medieval deer park. It is therefore recommended that the stripping of the easement at the eastern end of the pipeline be conducted under constant archaeological supervision, in order to identify, investigate and characterise any archaeological remains which may be uncovered by the development, including those associated with Burnt Walls, and any evidence for the Saxon boundary. An appropriate report on the results of this investigation should also be prepared.