SNN117039 - Western Extension To East Northamptonshire Resource Management Facility, Stamford Road, King’s Cliffe, North Northamptonshire: Archaeological Excavation Report

This archaeological report has been prepared for Andrew Josephs Associates on behalf of Augean Limited in order to satisfy conditions laid out by The Planning Inspectorate for an extension of works at the East Northamptonshire Resource Management Facility located off Stamford Road and mainly within the parish of King’s Cliffe, North Northamptonshire. Previous investigations revealed a low level of prehistoric activity with remains of Romano-British settlement predominant. The archaeological works undertaken by PCAS Archaeology Ltd targeted two excavation areas – Area 1 at the north of the development area; and Area 2 to the south. A third phase of works included the excavation of 15 evaluation trenches, later extended to 17 in order to investigate areas previously inaccessible due to the presence of overhead power cables. The results of the archaeological investigations revealed evidence of Romano-British occupation in Area 1, with an aisled building set within a large, subrectangular ditched enclosure, the enclosure ditch later being re-modelled. There was an additional smaller subsidiary subrectangular enclosure, and both enclosures were approached by a double ditched trackway with a funnel-shaped end. A series of pits and possible industrial features were also recorded within and external to the main enclosure. There was an additional ditched enclosure and an associated funnel-shaped trackway or droveway, with another double ditched trackway nearby. Area 2 produced limited evidence of a boundary ditch of possible post-medieval date and small, undated features that were either charcoal-burning pits or derived from natural geological processes or plant or animal disturbance. The additional evaluation trenches proved mostly negative for archaeology except for Trenches 16 and 17 which revealed the continuation of one of the double-ditched trackways or droveways from Area 1.