SNN115351 - An Archaeological Evaluation for Land at Church Lane, Great Cransley, Kettering, Northamptonshire

An archaeological evaluation was carried out by University of Leicester Archaeological Services (ULAS) on land at Church Lane, Great Cransley, Kettering, Northamptonshire (NGR: SP82936 76717). The work was undertaken to provide preliminary indications of the character and extent of any heritage assets in order that the potential impact of the development on such remains may be assessed by the Planning Authority. Sixteen evaluation trenches were excavated across the site. The western trenches found medieval features partially masked by redeposited natural along with an undated post hole alignment, trenches twelve, thirteen and fifteen found Saxo-Norman features.The eastern trenches revealed the well preserved footprints of two Saxon sunken featured buildings in trenches five and six with associated ditches suggesting related enclosures. Both buildings had good finds and environmental evidence recovered from both to date the backfill to the C10 -11th including a wellpreserved Saxo-Norman decorated seax from trench 5. Surrounding features suggesting enclosures were also investigated of which some may relate to the later shrunken medieval settlement including the remains of a late medieval or early post medieval dovecote. The southern edge of the excavation area had visible surface remains of a WW2 P.o.W hostel which were recorded by survey with rubbish pitting associated with the camp being identified in trench eleven.