SNN113118 - Images from an Archaeological Test Pit Survey at Orient House, Kettering Road, Northampton 2021

This collection comprises images from an archaeological test pit survey undertaken by DRP Archaeology in November 2021 at Orient House, Kettering Road, Northampton, as the first stage in mitigation on approved planning consent. The site is located within the immediate vicinity of the now demolished 12th century St Edmonds Church. 3 test pits were excavated in the only available open space which revealed evidence of former Victorian terraced housing erected after the church was demolished. Whilst the test pit survey was limited in its scope to assess the entire development footprint, it did provide valuable information to further assist future guidance. All three test pits demonstrated a large quantity of late Post Medieval made ground at least up to 1m thick which has been interpreted as material related to the demolition of the Victorian terraced house in the late 20th century. Within Test Pits 1 and 2 evidence of the former Victorian houses were revealed in the form of limestone walls that probably represent cellars for these dwellings. Where natural geology was revealed, it had been impacted by Post-Medieval made ground. No evidence for the Church of St Edmond or its activities were revealed during the investigation and it has been concluded that either the church exists further to the southwest, where it is noted on the HER or possibly to the northeast under what is not the Unitarian Chapel, built in 1896 and where the 1880 map labels this site as St Edmonds Square.