SNN114088 - Woolgrowers Field, Towcester, Northamptonshire: Archaeological evaluation

In January 2021, Cotswold Archaeology carried out an archaeological evaluation at Woolgrowers Field, Towcester, Northamptonshire. The fieldwork was commissioned by DPP Planning, acting on behalf of Woolgrowers Field Ltd. A total of 19 trenches were excavated across the 4.65ha site. Archaeological interest in the site derives from its location adjacent to the line of the current A5/Roman Watling Street, just outside the Roman settlement at Towcester and within an extensive known agricultural landscape of Late Iron Age and Roman date. A programme of geophysical survey, conducted within the Site in 2020, also revealed significant potential for archaeological remains, particularly in the easternmost area closest to Watling Street. A small number of ditches possibly associated with the Romano-British period were identified although, notably, the exposed remains were much less complex or numerous than indicated by the geophysical survey, with many of the anomalies not corresponding with any sub-surface features. Particularly noteworthy was a small concentration of Early Saxon features, including part of a possible wall, which were recorded in the south-east corner of the Site; this activity is of particular interest given the general lack of Saxon era evidence within the area. A bone pin/needle and small fragment of perforated gold were encountered within the Saxon features, together with stamp decorated pottery fragments of Early Saxon date. Post-medieval and early modern remains were also recorded within the trenches, including the very poorly preserved remnants of a ridge and furrow cultivation system, as well as a historic field boundary dating to the 19th century.