SNN70046 - Towcester Retail Development, Northamptonshire, Stage 1: Archaeological Assessment

This archaeological assessment report was produced by Cotswold Archaeological Trust in July 1992. All principal published and archive sources were examined. Together they have demonstrated the archaeological potential of the study area, which can be divided into two areas: land to the south-west of the mill leat and the watermeadows. The area to the south-west of the mill leat encompasses the defences of Roman Towcester. These were constructed in the later second century and comprised a stone wall with earth-bank backing, and a series of ditches. The innermost ditch falls within the study areas; it is presumed that the site of the second Roman ditch is now occupied by the post-medieval mill leat. One excavation has already examined these deposits within the study area (M. Audouy in 1984). This demonstrated that considerable disturbance had occurred to Roman deposits in this area, presumably as a consequence of quarrying of material for the creation of Bury Mount motte. A metalled surface is likely to be associated with the Civil War reference of the town. In the watermeadows evaluation excavations by NAU in 1980 located Middle Iron Age features with overlying Roman burials. Only a small area was sampled and their extent is not known; nevertheless they are sufficient to demonstrate the archaeological potential of the area. It is possible that the burials are associated with a roadside cemetery aligned along the putative Towcester to Irchester road. The evaluations also sampled a ditched and bank earthwork which traverses the meadow. A piece of later 17th century glass was recovered from the base of the ditch although the date and function of the features was not firmly ascertained. Topographic survey of the earthwork by Cotswold Archaeological Trust now suggests that its related to water management concerned with the feeding of ponds. A post-medieval date is considered likely. An auger survey of the meadows determined the depth the depth of alluvium hereabouts and collected samples for preliminary testing of magnetic susceptibility. The latter suggested significant variations in the magnetism of sub-surface deposits across the study area. The assessment has highlighted the considerable archaeological potential of the study area. It has therefore been used as the basis for a speculation for subsequent phases of geophysical survey and evaluation excavation. The specification is contained in a separate document.