SNN111549 - An Archaeological Excavation on land at Newlands Road, Welford, Northamptonshire (Phase 2)

An archaeological excavation was undertaken between August and September 2017 by University of Leicester Archaeological Services (ULAS) on behalf of Mears New Homes Ltd. The fieldwork was a post-determination requirement on a proposed planning application for a residential development on land south of Newlands Road, Welford, Northamptonshire. Preliminary geophysical surveys and trial trench evaluation had provided indications of the survival of medieval village properties running back from the West End road frontage, and potential pre-medieval features located on the east side of the site. The archaeological excavation was undertaken in order to mitigate the potential impact of the development on any such archaeological remains as might be present. The archaeological excavation in Area 1 revealed evidence for an initial phase of property boundary activity dating between the 10th to 12th century, prior to the establishment and occupation of two properties during the 12th century on the south eastern edge of the village, fronting West End road. One of the plots was occupied by probable cob-built structures with stone footings, one of which had been constructed within a shallow rectangular pit. A ditch flanking the eastern side of the plot appeared to demarcate the edge of the village from the ridge furrow fields to the east. The plots appear to have been abandoned in the 14th century but reoccupied in the 17th century. Excavations within Area 2 revealed a potential Roman field ditch and medieval ditch that divided two ridge and furrow field systems. The site archive will be deposited with Northamptonshire County Council under the accession number ENN 108648.