SNN117034 - Archaeological Evaluation at Wollaston School, 100 Irchester Road, Wollaston, Northamptonshire

Between the 28th October and 12th November 2024, Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) undertook a field evaluation by trial trenching at Wollaston School, Northamptonshire (centred SP 91382 62915), to assess the site’s archaeological potential prior to proposed re-development of a playing field into a 3G, sports pitch. The fieldwork followed a geophysical survey of the site in August 2024, and comprised the excavation of four 40m in length and 1.8m wide trenches.. The evaluation identified a cluster of northeast–southwest linear features in the southeast corner of the site, two of which contained pottery dating to the Middle Iron Age. The presence of these features likely documents the continuity, and possible extent, of Prehistoric activity identified in the geophysical survey immediately to the east and south, and Iron Age activity encountered during trial trenching immediately south of the site, adjacent to Hookham’s Path. A series of medieval–post-medieval furrows were identified on both northeast–southwest and northwest–southeast orientations which is consistent with furrow patterns recorded in adjacent areas. On broadly the same alignment of the furrows, two parallel ditch features were identified in the northeast corner of the site. The date and function of these features is unknown, though a singular fragment of Early Roman pottery in the eastern ditch may indicate a Roman date.