SNN112567 - Geophysical Survey Report: Land east of Thrapston, Northamptonshire

Magnitude Surveys was commissioned to assess the archaeological potential of a c. 70ha area of land east of Thrapston, Northamptonshire. A fluxgate gradiometer survey was successfully carried out across most of the survey area, though c. 10ha of land could not be surveyed due to adverse ground conditions. The survey identified a complex of anomalies suggesting the presence of archaeological features to the east of the survey area consisting of several enclosures connected by an intermediary ditch and anomalies consistent with settlement activity interspersed amongst it. A second focus of archaeological activity was identified to the west of this complex, with possible field systems and an enclosure in-between these foci. A possible medieval track or hollow-way feature was also identified, with historical extraction activity and ridge and furrow termini identified to the east and west of the feature respectively. Further evidence of ridge and furrow cultivation, former field boundaries, quarry infilling, and natural variations have also been identified. The height and density of mature wheat crop present within the survey area has created a dragging effect identifiable throughout the data as minor artefacts, however has not prevented confident interpretation of anomalies. Modern disturbance result from the infilling of a former quarry to the west and southeast of the survey area, as well as fencing at the edges of the survey area.