SNN117018 - Archaeological Monitoring and Recording at The Old Workshop, Winwick, Northants

Pre-Construct Archaeology was commissioned by Mrs Mandy Healy to undertake archaeological monitoring and recording at The Old Workshop, Church Lane, Winwick, Northamptonshire, NN6 7PD. The investigations were required to investigate and record any archaeological remains revealed during the new development comprising the conversion of the existing outbuilding to a dwelling, including a side extension, as part of the planning consent required by West Northamptonshire Council. A 1.15m wide and steeply sided 0.60m deep ditch was identified and excavated at 0.30m below the present ground level. Very abraded pottery fragments were recovered from the main fill of the ditch dating to the medieval period (12th-14th century). A 90-degree return to the south-southeast was suggested by a curve in the well-defined base and a rounded ‘shoulder’ on the eastern side. The ditch was considered likely to form part of a boundary for an area to the east of the site, in the direction of the extant late medieval manor, and the feature is likely to represent a continuation of the Winwick medieval settlement activity adjacent to the site, which previous investigations suggest was most densely populated between the 12th and 14th centuries. An overlying subsoil, whilst very root affected, did not seem to have been otherwise disturbed. The finds recovered from this horizon were post-medieval in date. A topsoil horizon was not present, and this accounts for the shallow depth of the archaeological horizon within the site.