SNN111273 - Archaeological evaluation: Trial Trenching at West End, Raunds, Northamptonshire

During November & December 2011 Phoenix Consulting Archaeology Ltd carried out an archaeological trial trench evaluation across a proposed development site at West End, Raunds, Northamptonshire (NGRSP 994 737). The work was carried out on behalf of Barwood Land and Estates Ltd (Barwood Land) and forms part of an archaeological evaluation of the site, comprising a desk-based assessment, an archaeo-geophysical survey and trial trenching, required to assess the presence, extent, nature and survival of archaeological features within the application area. The proposed mixed use development comprises housing and employment, together with associated landscaping, roads and open spaces. Prior to the trenching exercise, a geophysical survey had been carried out which identified a number of dispersed anomalies across the site, some of which may have been of archaeological origin. 30 trial trenches were therefore excavated within the footprint of the identified geophysical readings in order to investigate the various geophysical anomalies. Additional trenches were placed across the site to test apparently ‘blank’ areas in order to act as a control. Archaeological features were identified in 7 trenches. Of these, only three contained features with dateable evidence (trenches 7, 15 and 17) dating to the mid – late Iron Age. Two of the dated features appear to represent the remains of ring-gullies/ditches defining hut circles. A further suggested gully was identified, which contained no artefacts, but is likely to date to the same period. Other undated features may relate to the post-Medieval landscape. Large areas of the site, particularly in the south, did not show any evidence of archaeological activity. This confirmed the picture provided by the geophysical survey.