SNN112236 - Northampton Western Relief Road, Northamptonshire: Geophysical Survey

Headland Archaeology (UK) Ltd undertook a geophysical (magnetometer) survey of a 50 hectare site in the Nene Valley on the north-western periphery of Northampton, to provide information on the archaeological potential of the site in advance of the proposed Northampton Western Relief Road. The majority of the data collected over the alluvial deposits in the valley base is dominated by contrasting geological anomalies manifesting either as extremely high magnitude areas of magnetic disturbance or conversely as a fat monotone response with minimal magnetic variation. Against either of these magnetic backgrounds it may be difcult to identify any anomalies of archaeological potential, if present. However, on the north-facing side of the Nene valley, in the south of the site, a distinct area of archaeological activity has been identifed comprising a complex of conjoined enclosures, ditches and ring-ditches and including a possible kiln. These anomalies are thought to be suggestive of Romano-British settlement activity and are considered to be of high archaeological potential. Some of these anomalies correspond to cropmarks recorded by the National Mapping Programme but the majority of the archaeological anomalies identifed by the survey are previously unknown. Several high magnitude discrete and linear anomalies in the vicinity of the complex cannot be explained as agricultural, geological or modern in origin and, given the local context, an archaeological origin cannot be dismissed. These anomalies are ascribed moderate archaeological potential. No anomalies of archaeological potential have been identifed over the majority of the site although, given the presence of alluvial deposits and the extremely variable magnetic background, isolated soil-flled features and/or areas of unenclosed settlement, if present, may not manifest in the data.