SNN112447 - Water Lane, Towcester, Northampton: Archaeological Investigations; Post-Excavation Assesment of Potential for Analysis and Updated Project Design

This report assesses the results of archaeological works undertaken prior to the construction of a care home and its landscaped environs. The excavation revealed a number of pits, gullies and ditches of Roman date, probably having its origins in the middle of the 1st century AD. The linear features adhered to a largely NNE-SSW landscape pattern towards the western end of site, which may have reflected the features being oriented on the projected line of the Towcester to Alchester road. By the 2nd century AD possible post-fast structures were identified at the western end of site, arguably aligned with the road. No clear evidence as to the nature of these structures was evident, though artefactual assessment suggested the presence of metalworking, leather-working and possibly wood working in the area. Numerous pits were excavated across the site throughout all phases of Roman occupation, though their original function remained unclear. One possibility given the urban fringe nature of the site, and frequently waterlogged ground, may have been wash pits for tanning. The artefactual evidence showed numerous “ritual” style artefacts across the site, in pits, gullies and ditches, including pottery normally associated with funerary rites and cremation burials. No evidence for such burials themselves was identified, and indeed the finds appeared not to be deliberately placed deposits, but discarded. The most likely interpretation for this was that these finds were the result of cemetery clearance, with the human remains having either decayed or been deposited elsewhere and the remainder of the grave fill being spread across neighbouring fields, including Water Lane. As a result of this the artefact derived spot dates for the site are considered unreliable, and further analysis is required to establish a more accurate chronology. Following the end of the Roman period, the site appeared to revert to open grassland, with the next evidence for exploitation of the site coming in the later medieval or even post-medieval period, with the appearance of agricultural furrows and drainage.