SNN115630 - St Andrew’s Wall, St Andrew’s Road, Northampton: Archaeological Observation, Investigation, Recording, Analysis and Publication

Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by Jeakins Weir Ltd to undertake a programme of Archaeological Observation, Investigation, Recording, Analysis and Publication (OIRAP) at St Andrew’s Road, Northampton, NN1 2RW. The monitoring area is centred on NGR 474899 260552 and is located 20 m from the site of Northampton Castle. One trench (25 x 0.5 x 0.6 m) was excavated against the back (i.e., east side) of the wall to the immediate east of the footway alongside St Andrew’s Road. Below the extant topsoil a made ground deposit was exposed, interpreted as modern backfill from either the original construction of the wall or subsequent renovations. The shallow depth of excavation meant that no evidence of obvious antiquity was exposed, with the base of the trench thought to be higher than any potential archaeological horizon. The aims and objectives of the OIRAP have been met. Given the very limited results of the fieldwork, it is considered that the site conforms to the CIfA definition of a ‘sterile project’. Following consultation with the Northamptonshire Archaeological Resource Centre, it is therefore recommended that archive deposition will involve the uploading of the approved site report to the Archaeology Data Service via OASIS only.