SNN111235 - Wollaston House, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Watching Brief, 2018

This Summary report details and presents the result of a phased program of ground work investigation and subsequent monitoring of work associated with the construction of an extension to the existing property, a substantial basement and new foul drainage works surrounding the property at Wollaston House, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire (Grid Reference SP 90614 62814) For location see (Figure 1). The archaeological monitoring was carried out at the development site by Margaret Taylor-Sutton MA, BA (Hons) [ACIFA] on the 23rd to the 26th July 2018 in conjunction with Independent Archaeology Consultants. The initial phase of excavation was to observe and monitor a new foul drainage trench extending from the cottage in the North-east of the site moving south-east then west and north around Wollaston House within the area of the garden. The second phase of excavation was to observe and monitor the basement foundations to a maximum depth of 1 metre. The excavation was undertaken using a 0.5 ton 360° Bobcat mechanical excavator. Minimal, residual archaeological finds were revealed; a large shard of Roman Imbrex tile was recovered from (context 103) a dirty clay deposit overlying the clay mudstone formation from the new foul drain trench and a shard of medieval shelly ware from the investigation test pit excavated in the north-west area of the site within the proposed basement area. English reproductions of blue and white Chinese porcelain ware dated to c. mid-late 19th century or possibly early c. 20th century and one shard of a possibly earlier type was recovered during the excavation process and provides a context for Wollaston House which was built in 1856.