SNN114422 - Archaeological Evaluation: The Bull, 46-48 High Street, Harpole, Northamptonshire

Archaeological Research Services Ltd were commissioned by Browns Developments Ltd to undertake an archaeological trial trench evaluation at The Bull, 46-48 High Street, Harpole, Northamptonshire. The work was required as a planning condition prior to construction of two detached houses with associated garages, parking, and amenities space. The evaluation was undertaken in February 2022 in accordance with a written scheme of works agreed with the West Northamptonshire Council archaeological planning advisor. A site visit was made prior to backfill at which stage it was confirmed that, based on the remains found, further archaeological mitigation would be required. Archaeological remains were uncovered within one trench, 20m by 1.8m, set across the frontage of the former public house car park and parallel to High Street. An assemblage of Roman pottery dating to the 1st–early 2nd centuries was recovered from a single north-south aligned ditch together with animal bone and charred seeds. Another ditch was aligned north-west to south-east in the west end of the trench but was undated. More recent remains were evidenced by a stone-covered drain, aligned north-east to south-west at the east end of the trench, which likely dated to the late 18th–early 19th centuries. Additionally, four pits were revealed and that probably result from tree or bush planting in the 20th century.