SNN117203 - The Grange Sportsfield, Northampton Road, Earls Barton, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Trial Trenching

Abrams Archaeology Ltd, working on behalf of Earls Barton Parish Council, is gathering baseline information in support of an application for the erection of a sports hall, pavilion and store, and the installation of cricket and football pitches, with floodlights, cricket nets and outdoor gym with associated parking and landscaping works at the Grange Sportsfield, Northampton Road, Earls Barton, Northamptonshire, NN6 0HF. The site is centred on SP 84856 64547. Geophysical survey (Magnitude Surveys 2021) and desk-based assessment (CgMs 2019) were previously carried out, and part of the site was subject to archaeological evaluation work associated with the adjacent David Wilson Homes development. Abrams Archaeology Ltd agreed with the North Northamptonshire Council Archaeological Advisor (NNCAA) that a programme of trial trenching would be required to conclude the archaeological evaluation of the site. This report covers Phase 1 of the evaluation, targeting the proposed pavilion, car park and new access road. A second phase of evaluation will target the proposed football pitches The Phase 1 fieldwork was undertaken between 12th and 15th December 2022. A total of four trial trenches was excavated, each measuring 25m long and 1.8m wide. The trench layout was designed to target areas not previously evaluated by trial trenching, and to avoid the football pitches during the football season. The Phase 1 trial trenching identified three ditches, none of which was present on the geophysical survey. Two of the ditches produced dating evidence from the Roman period, specifically 1st–2nd century. Although no dating evidence was recovered from the third ditch, it is likely to be broadly contemporary. As part of a wider settlement the enclosure ditches identified in the Phase 1 trenches have the potential to contribute to a number of research aims highlighted in the regional agenda. An area of made ground associated with the levelling of the sport pitches was also identified. There was no distinguishable levelling layer but the thicker topsoil was associated with the slope contouring the sportsfield. It is likely that the original topsoil was removed prior to this levelling work. The project archive will be deposited with the Northamptonshire Archaeological Resource Centre (ARC). The digital archive will be submitted to the Archaeology Data Service (ADS). Details of the project and its findings will be submitted to the OASIS database in accordance with the guidelines issued by Historic England and the ADS (reference no. albionar1-433667).