SNN112331 - Towcester Road, Whittlebury to land near Silverstone, Northamptonshire; Mains Water Replacement (WAT-06723)- Programme of archaeological investigations

Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd was commissioned by Anglian Water to undertake a programme of archaeological investigations along two predesignated areas associated with a new water replacement pipeline between the High Street, Whittlebury and Silverstone, Northamptonshire. The first area of potential archaeological interest lay within the postulated extent of the early-medieval/medieval village of Whittlebury where the footprint of a temporary construction compound and the first section of the pipeline and associated easement were to be undertaken adjacent to the High Street (A413), Whittlebury. Due to the shallow nature of the intrusive works associated with the compound no features in this part of the site were excavated and instead they were planned and left in-situ. The remains of part of a late post-medieval yard with a series of internal stone surfaces, a stone lined well, ancillary structure and a number of probable industrial pits were revealed. Additionally, a post-medieval linear followed the line of the natural escarpment and appeared to be the western limit of activity in the area. Whilst all the features recorded in this area were of post-medieval date it is clear from redeposited artefactual remains that earlier activity was present in the immediate vicinity which dated from the Romano British through to medieval periods. This helps to further strengthen the argument that the known Iron Age hillfort to the immediate north was continually occupied from that date. Further to the west in the second area of potential archaeological interest it was expected that the pipeline would intersect the route of a projected Romano-British road at nearly a right angle. Whilst no evidence of this road or any other archaeology was revealed within this part of the site, a geologically deposited band of gravel was seen that was orientated in a broadly north/south direction and could have been utilised as a surface. Consequently, although no evidence was noted during the course of the present works, the limited scope of the investigations was such that the postulated route of the Romano-British road cannot be discredited at this time.