SNN116931 - Archaeological excavation on land at Norwood Phase 1a (Areas D and E) Norwood Farm, Northampton, Northamptonshire, February 2022 and February 2024

Archaeological excavation was undertaken by MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology) on Norwood Farm, Northampton in February 2022 and February 2024. The development comprises a series of land parcels being developed independently as part of the Barwood Development Scheme. Archaeological investigation took place as part of planning permission under Condition 14 on consent for S/2016/1324/EIA. Mitigation areas D and E, phase 1a of the development were stuated in parcels being brought forward by Vistry Homes, with the archaeological oversight provided by RPS Consulting. Evidence for early prehistoric activity in both areas was limited to flint artefacts and two ground stone axes, occurring as residual material in later features. The principal features encountered on site comprised large rectangular enclosures with internal divisions dating from the Middle Iron Age to the Early Roman period, with the peak of activity in the Late Iron Age. Area D contained a series of enclosures, which were rectangular, D-shaped or rounded in plan. Internal features included dividing ditches and a watering hole. Disarticulated human remains (Burial 2) were also encountered. Area E contained two large rectangular enclosures and a smaller interconnected oval enclosure. A further series of ditches to the south likely formed part of an associated agricultural system. The archaeological features in both areas represent a series of short-lived livestock enclosures, which were used up to the 1st century BC and then were likely abandoned. Two early medieval burials (Burial 3 and Burial 4) were identified within Area E, but they were not associated with the Iron Age-Roman site and therefore these will be analysed and reported on separately. Other medieval activity comprised ridge and furrow, and post-medieval activity in the form of building foundations, recorded on historic mapping of the area.