SNN115227 - Archaeological watching brief report: Land off Stamford Road, Weldon, Northamptonshire

The Jessop Consultancy commissioned Allen Archaeology Ltd to conduct an archaeological scheme of monitoring and recording to satisfy a condition of planning consent issued by Corby Borough Council for a residential development, on land off Stamford Road, Weldon, Northamptonshire. To the immediate north of the proposed site is the Scheduled Area of Little Weldon Roman Villa (SAM105; NHLE 1003898). It was discovered in 1738 and excavated again in the 1950s. There were three phases of development recorded, extending throughout most of the Roman period. Evidence of iron working was also discovered within this area. The monitoring exposed only limited undated archaeological features. These principally related to evidence of terracing and land management, cutting into the natural geology. This was comparable to the evidence of terracing previously identified in Evaluation Trench 3 (AAL 2019). The date of the terracing remains inconclusive, as the site was completely devoid of in situ dating material. 10th to 15th century potsherds were recovered from topsoil in Evaluation Trench 2, however these do not provide firm dating evidence for the terracing itself. A drain ditch was also recorded during monitoring. It was aligned orthogonal with, and truncated the deposits sealing, the terracing. It is thus likely of relatively recent date.