SNN111825 - Land at Rushden East (SUE) Merriman Land Northamptonshire: Archaeological Evaluation

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in June, August and September 2018 at Land at Rushden East (SUE), Merriman Land, Rushden, Northamptonshire. The evaluation comprised the excavation of seventy-nine trenches and was undertaken in order to inform a future application for residential development with associated infrastructure. The scope of the works was agreed in advance with Lesley-Ann Mather Northamptonshire County Council’s County Archaeological Advisor, who also monitored the fieldwork. The site was subject to geophysical survey which identified a concentration of linear anomalies representing archaeological features comprising a settlement built around a Yshaped trackway. The fields to the north, east and south of the site were subject to geophysical survey as part of the wider development identifying a further five settlement areas of Iron Age and Roman date. The results of the evaluation broadly confirmed the results of the geophysical survey. The evaluation identified archaeological remains concentrated centrally within the site. The features can be attributed to one of five main periods; the Bronze Age, Early Iron Age, Late Iron Age and Early Roman period, Mid-Late Roman period and medieval/post-medieval periods. The earliest feature identified comprised a ditch containing Bronze Age pottery and Mesolithic or early Neolithic flint in the primary fills. This corresponded to an anomaly on the geophysical survey and likely represents the remains of a barrow. A further anomaly identified by the geophysical survey and investigated by trenching potentially relates to this phase with a further probable circular barrow directly to the south of the site. The ceramic assemblage indicates that activity began in earnest in the Early Iron Age. The extent of this activity is not defined, the geophysical survey particularly poor in the representation of this phase. Two roundhouses identified during the course of the evaluation represent the main foci of activity in the southern/central part of the site. In the southern/central part of the site a poorly defined Late Iron Age and Early Roman period settlement, set within two natural ridges, was identified by the geophysical survey. This comprised an enclosed area indicating the potential for multi-phase activity broadly comparable to a ‘banjo’ enclosure. A potential burial sealed by stone was identified directly to the west of the main settlement area. Later Roman period activity is characterised by the Y-shaped trackway and associated plots clearly identified by the geophysical survey and dated to the 2nd to 3rd centuries AD. A large area of agricultural land use was identified to the north-east of the settlement representing both arable and pastoral land usage. A probable cemetery was identified in the north-eastern limits of the settlement with a further isolated burial to the south. Medieval/post-medieval furrows were evident across the site.