SNN117232 - Geophysical Survey report: Greyfriars, Northampton

A ground penetrating radar survey was carried out over four areas inside the Greyfriars historical area of Northampton using a high density array GPR system. The survey objective was to search for evidence of archaeological features in advance of regeneration and redevelopment. The results revealed extensive remains of previous 19th century Victorian terraced housing and street layout. The remains of both known cellars and previously unrecorded ones were identified. No significant features were found by the survey relating to earlier phases of occupation. Any remaining evidence of earlier occupation in areas which have been undisturbed by the house building activity is likely to be obscured by the spread of demolition remains. Several large, discrete, regularly shaped areas of high amplitude reflections have been identified by the survey, most notably in the two eastern areas. A modern origin is considered most likely for these features but an archaeological one cannot be ruled out. Small numbers of linear anomalies of have been identified in all four areas that do not obviously follow street patterns. The linear responses are not obviously suggestive of historic buildings, and many may relate to former services associated with the Victorian housing. Few are likely to be of archaeological interest