SNN115098 - 1EW03- Enabling Works Central AWHf Fieldwork Report for Trial Trench Evaluation at Lower Thorpe Farm (Lower Thorpe Viaduct and Lower Thorpe North Embankment), Northamptonshire

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken at Lower Thorpe Farm by Connect Archaeology for Fusion-JV on behalf of High Speed Two Limited. This forms part of the enabling works for HS2 Ltd rail link Phase One. The works took place between 11th June 2020 and 1st July 2020. Geophysical and remote-sensing surveys had identified anomalies which were thought to represent post-medieval features, possibly quarrying activity. The works were undertaken to investigate these anomalies and to sample those areas deemed blank by the geophysical and remote-sensing surveys. The outcome of the geophysical and remote-sensing surveys were not supported by the archaeological evaluation. A singular pit was evaluated in Trench 5. The outcome of the geophysical and remote-sensing surveys were largely confirmed by archaeological evaluation. The potential post-medieval quarrying identified was confirmed in Trenches 20 and 23.