SNN112811 - HS2 Phase 1 Central Section, Archaeological Works: Halse Copse East, Site Code 1C17HCETT Trial Trench Report

The trial trench evaluation was undertaken on land located to the northeast of Halse and south-east of Greatworth, Northamptonshire. The aims of the evaluation were to assess the archaeological potential of the Site to contain artefacts, deposits or features of archaeological significance, particularly those of medieval date. The site comprised an area within a single arable field, with a size of 4.45ha. The site is required for habitat creation, including the creation of new woodland planting, dry grassland and an area of Ancient Woodland soil translocation. The trial trench evaluation comprised seven trenches. The results of the evaluation were limited, with only some medieval or post-medieval furrows and small gullies recorded. This lack of archaeological remains could be due to a limited amount of activity on the Site during the prehistoric and Roman periods, although redeposited Roman remains were found within one of the furrows. Seven furrows were identified on the Site along with a post-medieval or modern field ditch. This area was peripheral during the medieval and post-medieval period as it is located c. 3km north-east of the nearest settlement of Halse which is a shrunken medieval settlement. This site was not subject geophysical survey because the past use of green manure to improve the soil would have rendered magnetometry ineffective. As a result, trial trenching was undertaken to assess the presence/absence of archaeological remains prior to construction.