SNN70548 - Archaeological Evaluation at Marsh Lane, Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, October 1994

A first stage of archaeological evaluation comprising desktop assessment, fieldwalking survey, magnetometer survey and test pit excavation was carried out on land at either side of Marsh Lane, Irthlingborough. In addition a contour survey was undertaken of the earthwork remains of the adjacent hillfort at Crow Hill. The magnetometer survey identified a ring ditch which may mark the site of a mound recorded previously in 1972 as a possible barrow. A few shallow undated features were found close by but there were no significant archaeological deposits to the north of Marsh Lane. The historical furlong names from the area are unexceptional but related research suggests that the area of the hillfort was known as 'Aldeburg' in c.1324 perhaps recalling the site's former status in Saxon times.