SNN116751 - Former Co-op Car Park, Richmond Road, Towcester, Northamptonshire Observation, Investigation, Recording, Analysis and Publication

Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by Jeakins Weir, on behalf of the client West Northamptonshire Council, to undertake observation, investigation, recording, analysis and publication (OIRAP) during ground works on the site. This comprised the initial removal of foundations within the area of the former Co-op building (trenches 1–5), the excavation of test pits and trenches to locate services (trenches 6–15), and all excavations and slab removal across the site to the client’s target level of 450 mm below the finished floor level for a new car park. The monitored works covered 0.5 hectares and were centred on NGR 469208 248609 at Richmond Road, Towcester.The natural geology was encountered in all trenches and comprised mid-yellow brown silty or gravelly clay. The top of the deposit was reached at 0.37–1.2 m below ground level (BGL). In most trenches the geology was overlain by post-Roman ground-raising or levelling layers. A stone wall or foundation of unknown date was recorded towards the north end of the site, within the footprint of the former Co-op building. Additionally, a deposit pre-dating the 1984 building was also recorded, just west of the stone wall. It is probable that these two features represent a small area of surviving archaeological remains. The aims of the OIRAP have been met. It has been determined that there is limited survival of archaeological remains on the site. However, the results of the OIRAP are limited by site restrictions which affected the monitoring archaeologist’s ability to accurately record the deposit sequences in certain trenches. These were trenches 5, 10 and 14, where the presence of asbestos prevented entry to the trenches and trenches 1, 6–9, 11, 13–15, where the depth of the trenches meant it was deemed unsafe to enter.