SNN111971 - Stoneleigh, Brixworth, Northamptonshire: Archaeological observation, investigation, recording, analysis and publication

The archaeological observation, investigation, recording, analysis and publication was commissioned by Ms Margaret Keeling in response to Condition 4 of planning consent (Ref: DA/2018/0418), for the groundworks associated with the construction of a detached dwelling at Stoneleigh, Saneco Lane, Brixworth, Northamptonshire, NN6 9DA (SP 7457 7109). The Event Number for this project in ENN109643. The archaeological observation, investigation, recording, analysis and publication was undertaken on the 9th, 10th, 14th and 15th of January 2020. Excavation of the new building footprint uncovered a 17th century boundary wall, extant on the first Edition OS map dating to 1885 and associated with the 17th century Foxes Farm that was located immediately north of the development site. Pottery sherds recovered from a foundation deposit below the western face of the wall range in date between the 13th and 17th centuries, however the medieval assemblage has been interpreted as secondary deposition, with the mid-17th century considered the true date for the deposit, suggesting the stone wall to be contemporary to the farmstead. An animal bone assemblage recovered during the excavation has been identified as comprising a wide range of taxa indicative that this was an area where both food and non-food refuse was disposed of.The wall was no longer depicted on the second edition Ordnance Survey map dating to 1899, which infers demolition to have been undertaken between 1885 and 1899. Pottery recovered from a deposit sealing the wall foundations has been dated from AD1800, corroborating historic map evidence of the area.