SNN111438 - Archaeological evaluation: Trial Trenching. Land off Ashton Road, Oundle, Northamptonshire

During early September 2013 Phoenix Consulting Archaeology Ltd carried out an archaeological trial trench evaluation across a proposed development site known as ‘Land off Ashton Road, Oundle, Northamptonshire’ (NGR TL 0407 8781). The work was carried out on behalf of Persimmon Homes East Midlands Ltd. and forms part of an archaeological evaluation of the site, comprising a desk-based assessment, an archaeo-geophysical survey and trial trenching. The results from these surveys will allow for the archaeological advisor to the planning authority to make their recommendations on the submitted application. The present document outlines the results of a recent trial trench evaluation. The trench evaluation covered the entire site, where the proposed development will create an impact through groundwork and soil moving operations. Trenches were targeted where the geophysical survey indicated the presence of below-ground archaeology. Additional trenches were positioned in archaeologically ‘blank’ areas. In total 9 trenches were excavated. Approximately one half of the site had previously been disturbed by former gravel extraction. Early OS editions detail gravel extraction across a part of this area and in the woodland copse to the immediate north. Any archaeology within the footprint of such former extraction zones is likely to have been removed. Trenches 1, 3, 5, 6 and 7 all encountered the former area of quarrying. Outside of the extraction hollow, archaeological features were encountered in trenches 2, 3 and 4. A modern gully was encountered in Trench 5. Archaeological features investigated included an undated gully which corresponded to the geophysical reading of a suggested ring ditch (Trench 3), and several Iron Age ditches which appear to relate to former enclosures (Trenches 2 and 4). The Iron Age archaeology was on the same alignment as the known Iron Age archaeology to the east of the A605, and is therefore likely to be related. Trenches 8 and 9 contained no archaeological features.