SNN110955 - Land at 2 Whiteman Lane, Rothwell, Northamptonshire: Archaeological observation, investigation, recording, analysis and publication

This report presents the results of archaeological monitoring and recording undertaken on land at 2 Whiteman Lane, Rothwell, Northamptonshire. The project was commissioned by Buzz Architects Ltd. To fulfil a condition attached to planning permission granted by Kettering Borough Council for the construction of a new dwelling and associated parking. The groundworks associated with the construction of the dwellings were subject to archaeological monitoring. The site lies within the core of medieval Rothwell, and Wales Street which runs adjacent to the site is mentioned in a survey of the borough dating from 1607. A plan of the town dated 1819 shows a row of buildings which appear to extend into the area of the development. The groundworks revealed building remains including ironstone wall footings and standing walls, and brick and mortar floor surfaces. At least some of these floors and walls were of late 19th century date, and the majority of artefacts retrieved from the site were of 17th to 19th century date. The building remains may represent buildings depicted on early Ordnance Survey maps of the area, but at least some appear to post-date buildings shown on an 1819 parish plan. Significant disturbance was recorded at the west end of the site, apparently resulting from the erection of the existing 20th century buildings on the site. Aside from naturally formed deposits, no features or deposits likely to pre-date the late post medieval period were identified during the investigations. A single sherd of 12th to 13th century pottery attests to earlier activity in the vicinity, but its presence is unsurprising given the location of the site near the historic centre of the settlement. One of two reused pieces of worked stone masonry recovered from a wall footing may be of 17th century date.