SNN113581 - Thrapston Business Park, Northamptonshire: Evaluation report for Archaeological Trial Trenching, April 2022

Wardell Armstrong LLP (WA) was commissioned by IM Properties Developments Ltd, to undertake an archaeological evaluation by trial trenching at Thrapston Business Park, Northamptonshire, nearest postcode NN14 4QS, centred at National Grid Reference (NGR): TL 01147 79328. Previous archaeological work around Thrapston has indicated the presence of a Roman road to the north and remains of the Roman town of Titchmarsh to the northwest of the Site. There has been no intrusive work undertaken on the Site. The evaluation was undertaken to inform a hybrid planning application for Thrapston Business Park. The evaluation was undertaken in accordance with a Written Scheme of Investigation produced in consultation with the Archaeological Advisor and the Assistant Archaeological Advisor on behalf of North Northamptonshire Council. Trial trenching comprising 147 trenches revealed stratified deposits up to 1.2m thick including masonry, yard surfaces, occupation deposits and industrial waste, ditched enclosures, pits and postholes; which appear to represent the southeastern extent of Titchmarsh Roman town. The finds assemblage predominantly dates from the 1st to 2nd century AD with later activity dating from the 4th century AD which might indicate a break in occupation suggesting this area of the Roman town was subject to expansion and contraction. Limited evidence for a Late Iron Age precursor to the Roman settlement, laid out on a slightly different alignment, was recovered from the northwest area of the Site. Although no evidence for the Roman Road recorded on the Northhamptonshire Historic Environment Record was discovered, several possible road surfaces and traces of roadside settlement were uncovered. As well as the continuation of the Roman town, the evaluation identified several 1st to 2nd century AD ditched enclosures and localised areas of settlement outside the town. The majority of the Site is, however, not of archaeological interest. The archaeological remains of Roman Titchmarsh are likely to be of regional significance and have the potential to address themes stated in the regional research agenda for the East Midlands. A program of archaeological investigation and recording, followed by post-excavation assessment, analysis and publication is likely to be made a condition of any planning consent, to record and advance understanding of the significance the archaeological remains in accordance with published planning guidance.