SNN112449 - The Monastery, Main Road, Shutlanger, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Observation, Investigation, Recording, Analysis and Publication

A programme of Archaeological Observation, Investigation, Recording, Analysis and Publication was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology during groundworks associated with the removal and replacement of a collapsed outbuilding with a new oak-framed three bay garage and associated driveway. Groundworks comprised ground reduction for the driveway and the footprint of the new garage and the excavation of the garage foundations. Natural geology comprised a light green grey clay overlain by subsoil comprising mid brown orange silty clay. This was in turn was sealed by topsoil. A modern dump deposit comprising mid orange-brown sandy-silt with frequent large asphalt, brick, concrete curb stone and paving stone fragments was revealed over a 25m stretch through the centre of the investigation area, overlying the subsoil and sealed beneath the topsoil. Discussions with the landowner identified that the material was deposited during the construction of a previous pathway used to access the now collapsed and removed outbuilding/ garage. A ditch, which produced a single sherd of modern pottery, was encountered running on a northeast - southwest alignment through the northern part of the investigation area. No other features or deposits of archaeological interest were observed during groundworks and no artefactual material predating the modern period was recovered.