SNN112480 - Geophysical Survey Report: Prospect Avenue, Rushden

Magnitude Surveys was commissioned to assess the subsurface archaeological potential of c.3.3ha of land off Prospect Avenue, Rushden, Northamptonshire. A fluxgate gradiometer survey was successfully completed across c.2.4ha of the survey area, the rest was unsurveyable due to overgrown vegetation. Several undetermined anomalies have been identified in the centre of the survey area in close proximity to a former building shown on historic mapping. Further anomalies have been identified which are considered likely to be related to a nearby gas works or other recent activity however, an archaeological origin cannot be ruled out and so these have an undetermined classification. The survey has also identified anomalies relating to natural drainage near the northern boundary of the survey area. A section of the survey area was hardstanding ground from a former coal yard, which has resulted in a strong anomaly, under which, if present, no anomalies of any kind could be discerned. Further impact of modern activity on the results is limited to magnetic disturbance from fences at field edges and other metal detritus expected in an urban setting.