SNN116273 - Titchmarsh Lodge Solar Farm, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Evaluation

Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by Elgin Energy EsCo Ltd to carry out a programme of archaeological trial trenching as part of a planning application for the installation of a ground mounted solar photovoltaic array/solar farm, with associated electrical infrastructure and landscaping. The works were carried out on a 60-hectare parcel of land, divided into three fields located adjacent to Foxholes Farm, Roman Road, Titchmarsh, Northamptonshire, centred on NGR 504102 278050. A total of 129 trial trenches were opened and recorded, of which 41 contained archaeological features. The earliest remains recorded were ditches and a pit of Late Iron Age/early Romano-British date, concentrated in the south-west corner of the site (Area 1). Two intercutting Iron Age to early Romano-British ditches were also recorded in the north, in trench 26, while a third ditch of the same date was recorded in the south-east (trench 47). A large area (Area 2) in the north contained a dense concentration of deposits/layers, ditches and pits, of which only a small number were investigated because of the complexity of the archaeology. The features that were excavated contained material dating to the mid-/late Romano-British period. Evidence of post-medieval to modern agricultural activity was recorded across the site in the form of ditched field boundaries, plough furrows and land drains. An undated stone wall was found in the north-east of the site. The finds assemblage is small to moderate, with pottery and animal bone forming the main types of artefact. The majority of the pottery recovered from the site is Late Iron Age/early Romano-British in date, suggesting that the features in Area 1 were in use during the 1st century BC to 1st century AD. Pottery recovered from features excavated in Area 2 suggests that the main period of activity in that part of the site was between the 2nd and 4th centuries, with a possible origin in the early Romano-British period. The pottery was locally made, and includes cooking jars and storage vessels. Animal bone recovered from Areas 1 and 2 indicates that animal carcass processing was taking place, mainly for secondary products. The environmental evidence comprises charred plant and cereal remains, along with wood charcoal. The remains are poorly preserved; however, there is evidence of Late Iron Age to Romano-British cereal crop processing activity in the samples. Wild plant taxa also indicate the environment at that time was arable. The evaluation has met its aims and objectives; further analysis and mitigation can advance understanding of the character, extent and function of the features on the site.