SNN112068 - 1A London End, Irchester: Archaeological Evaluation Report

In May 2020, two archaeological trial pits, each 2 m x 2 m, were excavated in the rear garden of an early 17th century house at 1A London End, Irchester. The purpose of the investigation has been to assess the significance of any buried archaeological remains that might be affected by a proposed development, and to assist in the determination of the planning application. The property lies immediate southwest of a 13th century manor-house/farm complex which was investigated prior construction of a housing estate in 1967, on ground formerly known as Manor Field. The archaeological remains of the complex included the foundations of many buildings and extended over more than 2 hectares. Notably, archaeology was found c. 10 m to the north of the proposed development area. It was thus considered that the 17th century house may have been built over a part of the medieval manorial site and, if so, the proposed development area has the potential to contain buried remains of archaeological interest pertaining to the manor. The 2020 trial pits were positioned c. 14 m apart. One of the pits revealed a medieval deposit of substantial thickness, which is interpreted as a likely midden, associated with the manor. The deposit was located 0.3 m - 0.36 m below the present ground surface, sealed beneath a former horticultural/garden soil of 17th to 19th century date. The deposit, which has been broadly dated by pottery to the 13th century, yielded an extensive range of plant macrofossils and carbonised cereal. The other trial pit, located a layer of limestone rubble in a clay matrix, which has the appearance of a building foundation. A single sherd of late medieval pottery was found in a thin band of silty soil overlaying the rubble. The discoveries appear resonant with the nearby discoveries made in 1967.