SNN112674 - Geophysical Survey Report of Land West of Brackley, Northamptonshire

Magnitude Surveys was commissioned to assess the subsurface archaeological potential of a c.38ha area of land located west of Brackley, Northamptonshire. A fluxgate gradiometer survey was successfully completed across the survey area. Archaeological activity has been identified in the form of settlement indicators in the centre of the survey area, with a morphology suggestive of a later prehistoric to Roman origin. There is also a suggestion of mineral exploitation near the settlement activity, however it is not possible to say whether these are contemporary or of a later date. Agricultural features including mapped and unmapped former field boundaries;ridge and furrow cultivation and drainage features have also been identified across the site. Natural variations were detected in the centre of the survey area, possibly relating to the limestone geology and dissolution of the calcareous sub-strata, or human exploitation of the stone. Modern interference in the data is generally limited to ferrous haloes from fencing along field boundaries, drain covers and a buried service.