SNN113790 - Archaeological Investigations at Canons Ashby, Northamptonshire: Walkover Survey and Palaeoenvironmental Sampling Report

This report presents the results of a walkover survey and programme of palaeoenvironmental sampling at the Stew Ponds (former medieval fish ponds) at Canons Ashby, Northamptonshire. The investigation was undertaken as part of a wider feasibility study by the National Trust to examine whether the Stew Ponds can be successfully de-silted and reinstated. The Stew Ponds at Canons Ashby form part of the Scheduled Ancient Monument of Canons Ashby (Heritage List 1015534) and Scheduled Monument Consent (SMC) was received for this work. There were originally were three ponds, however the southern pond has been completely in-filled and now exists in an area of agricultural land which is ploughed regularly. The remaining two ponds were heavily silted and vegetated with mature trees and aquatic plants, with open water being present only in the northern pond. The walkover survey indicated that the main source of water for the ponds is likely to have been a leat from the former moat to the north-west. Possible traces of outflow leats associated with the two northern ponds were noted, though no structural evidence was visible. The medieval priory features, including the fish ponds and moat, were incorporated into the post-Dissolution garden of John Cope, established in 1538. Other garden features surviving as structures and earthworks include a raised walkway, a prospect mound, a walled garden and a possible building platform. Though around a third of the raised walkway has been levelled in the 20th century, the surviving features form part of one of the earliest post-medieval gardens identified in the country, and as such are of national significance. The palaeoenvironmental coring was completed in conjunction with agb Environmental Ltd. In total 14 coring locations were targeted, spread out evenly between the two ponds. A series of samples were taken from each location, either at 0.5m increments or where a sediment change occurred. The samples were then considered in terms of location, depth and sediment character in consideration for pollen and botanical macrofossil analysis. In total, six samples were submitted for pollen analysis and four for plant microfossil analysis. The preservation of organic remains proved to be good in both the pollen samples and the plant macrofossil samples, with most of the identified taxa prevailing from wetland and aquatic habitats, such as sedge, reeds/rushes, water plantain, milfoil, and pondweed, all of which indicate slow-moving or stagnant water. These remains indicate that an open grazed/cultivated landscape was prevalent within the immediate landscape during the time that the ponds were silting up, with a strong indication of agricultural activity.