SNN115868 - Horton Church, Horton, Northamptonshire: Ground Penetrating Radar Survey Report

A ground penetrating radar (GPR) survey was conducted over land at Horton Church, Horton, Northamptonshire (centred on NGR 481939 254336). The project was commissioned by Cambrian Archaeological Projects Ltd with the aim of establishing the presence, or otherwise, and nature of detectable archaeological features in support of a planning application for the development of the site as a residential dwelling. The survey area comprised the interior floor surfaces of the church and a section of grassed cemetery adjacent to the exterior of the church building. The geophysical survey was undertaken on 9 December 2021 and has demonstrated the presence of several anomalies of potential archaeological interest within the church building. In addition, disturbed ground associated with previous subsurface material removal and a modern service have been identified. The archaeological features central to the church building are associated with the recently discovered crypt vault, and the entrance tunnel which led from the exterior northern wall to the crypt vault. The further archaeological feature represents the remains of the former eastern wall line of the church before further extension was added to the east. The disturbed ground area within the church is suggestive of former ground material removal and replacement. This is apparent within the data represented by high amplitude reflectors, and also apparent on the surface where the tiled patterned floor is inconsistent with the rest of the floor within the church. Further to this, there is an area of sunken floor surface associated with this feature, which is in the vicinity of noted subsidence within the fabric of the building. The linear high amplitude response to the exterior of the church building is most likely associated with a modern service. Within the church are a series of metallic manhole covers, the positions of which coincide with the route of the connecting branches of this service, and it is assumed they are related.