SNN115885 - Archaeological observation, investigation recording, analysis and publication at Manor House Museum, Kettering, GLaM Project, Northamptonshire, June 2021 to March 2022

MOLA Northampton was commissioned by Faithful and Gould to undertake a programme of Archaeological Observation, Investigation, Recording, Analysis and Publication (AOIRAP) at the Grade II* listed Manor House Museum, Kettering, Northamptonshire as part of an ongoing redevelopment of the site. This comprised the monitoring of tree root removal and the construction of a haul road to the east of the existing library, followed by the observation of excavations for 33 foundation pits in the area of the new library extension and during excavations for new utility services by the Manor House Museum. A ditch dating to the 10th to 12th century AD was recorded in four of the foundation pits located in the central part of the library extension. Two pits of post-medieval to modern date were observed in this same area and a 20th-century brick wall and stone lined drain were located in Foundation Pits 28, 30 and 33. An undated ditch aligned parallel to the 10th to 12th-century ditch was identified but could not be clearly attributed to the same phase of activity.