SNN110929 - Archaeological excavation of land at Harley Way, Benefield, Northamptonshire September – November 2012

In 2012 Northamptonshire Archaeology, now MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology), was commissioned by CgMs Consulting to undertake a programme of archaeological excavation of land at Harley Road, Benefield, Northamptonshire. An area of late Iron Age and Roman settlement, dated to the 1st-2nd century AD, comprised three large ditched enclosures constructed in two phases, as well as numerous quarry pits, other pits, postholes, a trackway and a limestone surface. At least one T-shaped corn-drying oven was located within an enclosure, and there was evidence for secondary iron smelting and other industrial activity. There was also some later activity in the 4th century AD. A second area comprised parts of four plots that would have lain at the eastern end of the deserted medieval hamlet of Churchfield. Initial boundary ditches were constructed in the later 12th century. Two plots contained partially surviving building ranges in limestone dated to the 13th to mid-14th centuries. A further plot was inserted between the other two in the second half of the 14th century, and this contained a single building. The site was abandoned by the end of the 14th century. The pottery assemblage is dominated by local Lyveden/Stanion wares.