SNN110943 - Handley Park, Abthorpe, Northamptonshire: Programme of Archaeological Observation Investigation, Recording, Analysis & Publication, 2014

In January and February 2016, Cotswold Archaeology carried out a programme of archaeological observation, investigation and recording (watching brief) at Handley Park, Abthorpe, Northamptonshire. The archaeological investigation, which was commissioned by Renesola UK Ltd, was undertaken to fulfil a condition attached to a planning consent by South Northamptonshire Council for the construction of a solar farm. Archaeological investigation of the excavations for the haul road, compound, cable trenches and the substation identified three ditches, two within the cable trenches and one on the haul road. No finds or other dateable material was recovered from any of the features, although one ditch aligned with a Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age ditch found during the previous archaeological evaluation, suggesting that it may date to this period. Given their proximity to the discrete area of Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age and Roman remains identified by the evaluation on the south-east facing slope of the site, it is probable that the other two ditches are similarly associated.