SNN74276 - Land Off Dando Close, Wollaston, Northamptonshire: Evaluation Report (HN224)

As part of a planning application for the development of land located between Dando Close and Hinwick Road, Wollaston, Northamptonshire, the Heritage Network was commissioned by Westbury Homes Ltd to undertake an archaeological evaluation of the site in order to assess the level of archaeological risk faced by the development. Desk-based research indicated a risk that archaeological material dating from the Neolithic to the medieval periods would be present on the site. Field evaluation was able to clarify this risk, and demonstrated the presence of Saxon remains across much of the northern half of the area. Features include pits and post-holes and, notably, a sunken-featured building (SFB) or grubenhaus. Pottery found in association with these features suggests a date range for occupation between the 5th and 11th centuries. Significant evidence for early to middle Saxon settlement was recovered, running in an east-west band across the middle of the site. The evidence included posthole alignments and a grubenhaus or SFB. The features appeared to be relatively well-preserved, although it is likely that any Saxon features located in the north-west corner of the site will have been significantly disturbed by post medieval activity.