SNN57955 - Rainsborough Long Barrow, SAM No. 13672, Charlton, Northamptonshire: Topographical, Geophysical and Badger Activity Surveys March - May 1996

Between March and May 1996, Northamptonshire Archaeology implemented a programme of investigation to inform proposals for the possible relocation of a badger sett which had damaged the scheduled ancient monument of Rainsborough Long Barrow. The character of the monument and the extent of the damage were assessed by topographical and geophysical surveys. Badger activity was monitored at the sett and mapped within a 1.5km radius in order to identify the legal and practical implications of re-locating any occupant badgers. The archaeological study did not reveal evidence to support the existing interpretation of the monument as a Neolithic long barrow, but rather showed that it might be an 18th-century landscape feature. The surveillance of the badgers suggests that the sett has been used seasonally by nursing females but it was unoccupied at the end of the survey. Recommendations and outline costings of various options for future management are presented below.