SNN113683 - Land North of Oundle Road, Weldon, Corby, Northamptonshire: Post-excavation Assessment

Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by Orion Heritage on behalf of BAM Construction UK to undertake archaeological mitigation works on two areas of excavation (areas 1 and 2), totalling 0.09 hectares (ha), on land north of Oundle Road, Weldon, Corby, Northamptonshire (NGR 493922, 289193). Both areas 1 and 2 were extended in accordance with the Written Scheme of Investigation to fully expose archaeological features. The work was carried out as a condition of planning permission, granted by North Northamptonshire County Council (NC/21/00124/DPA). Previous archaeological work carried out on the site included a desk-based assessment, geophysical survey and a trial trench evaluation. The majority of the archaeological remains were Romano-British in date, of a single phase of activity dating to the mid-1st to 2nd century, with some features possibly open into the 3rd century AD. The features comprised seven ditches, two pits and two undated postholes. Three of the ditches in area 1 formed a three-sided structure or drainage system, conforming to a north–south and east–west aligned grid, while two further ditches probably combined to form another north–south aligned drainage ditch to the south. Two refuse pits were also present in area 1, along with two undated postholes. In area 2, two ditches, a ‘C’-shaped boundary ditch and a linear NW/ESE-aligned boundary ditch formed a small sub-rectangular enclosure which likely butted onto the linear boundary. The pottery assemblage was moderate and provided good dating for most features. The pottery and environmental remains provided evidence of rural domestic activity, with crop processing occurring in the vicinity. A small amount of imported ware was recovered along with the local wares, including Samian and a fragment of amphora, which is expected from a rural settlement site in the region. Comparisons with a nearby excavation south of Oundle Road places this site within a larger landscape of Romano-British rural settlement and agriculture. Overall the archaeological remains are typical for the period and region. The pottery assemblage has regional potential in terms of adding to the regional type series, though it is a very typical typeset for a basic rural site. The findings have local archaeological significance, as they contribute to the existing picture of a Romano-British rural settlement and make a modest contribution to published research objectives. The report will be uploaded via OASIS to the Archaeological Data Service and a short summary will be published in the annual roundup in Northamptonshire Archaeology.