SNN110981 - Sandy Lane Improvement North, Northampton: Post-Excavation Assessment and Updated Project Design, March 2017

A programme of archaeological investigation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in February to April 2010 at the request of WSP Environmental Ltd (on behalf of MGWSP) at the Sandy Lane Improvement North, north-west of Northampton. A total area of 3.6ha was excavated across Areas 1 to 7. Archaeological remains were confined to Areas 1–4 and 6 in the northern and central parts of the site. The archaeology excavated comprised the remains of a small settlement in Area 2 and a pit alignment in Area 3, both dating to the Middle Iron Age period. Several other areas of occupation broadly dating to the Late Prehistoric period were encountered across the site, and included pits, hearths and a cremation burial in Area 1; postholes in Area 2; a trackway/droveway, enclosure and associated ditches, hearths, pits and postholes in Area 3; pits and hearths in Area 4; and a ditch and posthole in Area 6. Medieval and post-medieval features included a boundary ditches in Areas 1 and 6; and plough furrows and pits in Area 4. A moderate pottery assemblage was recovered from the site broadly dating to the Late Prehistoric period with a small number of rim sherds suggesting a Middle Iron Age date for part of the assemblage. Other finds included a small amount of fired clay representing parts of two loomweights, and a worked stone object identified as a possible loomweight or flywheel. This document presents a quantification and assessment of the evidence recovered from the excavation. It considers the evidence collectively in its local, regional and national context, and presents an updated project design for a programme of post-excavation analysis to bring the results to appropriate publication.