Data from a Trial Trenching at Land West of Culworth Grounds, Northamptonshire, 2020 (HS2 Phase One)
High Speed Two Ltd., Headland Archaeology Ltd, 2025. https://doi.org/10.5284/1128382. How to cite using this DOI
Data copyright © High Speed Two Ltd. unless otherwise stated
This work is licensed under a The Open Government Licence (OGL).
Primary contact
High Speed Two Ltd.
2 Snowhill
Queensway
Birmingham
B4 6GA
United Kingdom
Tel: 08081 434 434
Resource identifiers
- ADS Collection: 4453
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1128382
- How to cite using this DOI
Introduction
This collection comprises images, CAD files, spreadsheets, and site record data from trial trenching at land west of Culworth Grounds, Northamptonshire, conducted as part of HS2 Phase One. The trial trenching was carried out by Headland Archaeology Ltd between 21 July 2020 and 24 August 2020.
Project Summary
The general aims of the artefact collection and trial trenching were:
- To confirm the presence/absence, extent and depth of any surviving archaeological remains within the Site;
- To determine the nature, date, condition, state of preservation, complexity and significance of any archaeological remains;
- To determine the likely range, quality and quantity of artefactual and environmental evidence present;
- To suggest measures, if appropriate and feasible, for further archaeological investigation to mitigate identified significant impacts; and
- To contribute to the delivery of GWSI: HERDS Specific Objectives.
A total of 54 trenches were excavated, most of which targeted previously identified geophysical anomalies. Test trenching confirmed the presence of archaeological features in five trenches within three of the six fields. The only significant features were recorded in Trenches 015, 016 and 017 and comprised a large curvilinear enclosure ditch, two shallow (truncated) linear ditches and a truncated posthole. The site was heavily truncated by modern ploughing and much of the area (which lay on sloping land or at the bottom of a hill) was overlain with moderately deep (up to 1.00m) of colluvium. Pottery sherds recovered from the enclosure ditch have been dated as Early Iron Age.
Re-Use Value Statement
Further investigation of the enclosure identified by the trial trenching evaluation is considered to have some potential to contribute to Specific Objectives. Specifically this could provide more secure dating for the feature, whether by artefact recovery or scientific dating; and could provide more information on the site economy in relation to the exploitation of livestock. This could in turn contribute in future to broader regional studies of settlements of this period and type.
