SNN117201 - Draughton, Northamptonshire: report on an Archaeological Trial Trench Evaluation

York Archaeology (Nottingham) were commissioned by Anglian Water to undertake a programme of archaeological trial trenching from their Draughton Water Recycling Centre (SP 75490 76940) southwards towards their Brixworth Water Recycling Centre (SP 73948 71564) in Northamptonshire. These works were undetaken in advance of groundworks to install a 6km pump-away scheme from Draughton to Brixworth. Evaluation works comprised the excavation of twenty-three 30m x 1.8m trenches across a 6km long area, which passes through 10 agricultural fields, within a 12m wide easement adjacent to the Brampton valley way walking path. Excavations took place between 17th July and 4th August 2023. Features were only present in five of the 23 trenches: 01, 09, 12, 14 and 18. Trench 01 contained a ditch [106], cut by a pit [104], both of which contained Middle Iron Age pottery. A possible stone wall foundation or surface [109] was also found, the construction cut for which contained Middle Iron Age pottery and a sherd of Stamford Ware of 11th-12th century date. A modern drainage gully was also present. Trench 09 was excavated in an area of extant ridge and furrow and two furrows were present within the trench. Trenches 14 and 18 each contained a single, undated, u-shaped gully, whilst Trench 16 had a single modern pit. The results from this programme of evaluation, and a separate watching brief, will inform the decision of the Lead Planning Archaeologist for North Northamptonshire Council as to whether further mitigation works may be reqiured.