SNN113664 - Geophysical Survey Report, Wicksteed Park, Kettering, Northamptonshire

A survey was commissioned by Andrew Josephs Associates to prospect land at Wicksteed Park, Kettering, for buried structures of archaeological interest. Survey was undertaken using an ATV-towed and GNSS-tracked non-gradiometric array of caesium vapour magnetometers on a non-magnetic platform. Amongst numerous anomalies from recent land use, including as a camp site, and widespread debris from maintenance activities, there is clear evidence for medieval cultivation in the form of ridge and furrow although non complete fields were imaged. In addition long and roughly perpendicular ditch fills hint at a prehistoric at a prehistoric field system including tracks. Separate to this are a number of possible former enclosures of uncertain date plus the sites of two structures that may be rectangular pits or sunken floor buildings. The former presence of a golf course may complicate interpretation of parts of the site and the presence of magnetic debris from dredging of the lake and use of the campsite has inevitably masked weaker anomalies in some areas.