Data from a Trial Trench Evaluation at Paradise Farm and Field Farm, Lower Boddington, Aston le Walls, Northamptonshire, 2020-2022 (HS2 Phase One)
High Speed Two Ltd., MOLA Headland Infrastructure, MOLA Northampton, 2025. https://doi.org/10.5284/1133021. 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).
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Resource identifiers
- ADS Collection: 4616
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1133021
- How to cite using this DOI
Introduction
This collection comprises reports, images, CAD data, spreadsheets and site records from archaeological trial trench evaluation was undertaken by MOLA at Paradise Farm and Field Farm between 2020 and 2022. The site was located in Northamptonshire, within Community Forum Area CFA15 between Greatworth and Lower Boddington. The location for the evaluation has been selected to address construction programme risk to land required for HS2.
Project Summary
The baseline archaeological evidence suggested a potential for unknown archaeological remains of prehistoric/Roman, medieval, and post-medieval date. The geophysical survey undertaken within the Site have identified two square enclosures in the south-eastern parcel (Field Farm), at least one of which has been identified as a possible Roman fort. A total of 285 trenches were excavated in Phase 1 August-October 2020) and 180 trenches excavated in Phase 2 (December 2020-February 2021).
Trial trenching confirmed the presence of an enclosed Roman settlement, dated by pottery evidence to the late 2nd–4th century AD, possible Iron Age settlement activity, and medieval and post-medieval plough furrows and field boundaries. The archaeology was mostly concentrated within three fields at Field Farm and one field at Paradise Farm. A cremation burial is regionally significant. Isolated features of archaeological interest, such as pits and field boundaries were observed across the rest of the Site. Early medieval / Saxon activity was also evident.
Finds from the site included worked flints of a late Mesolithic and Neolithic to early Bronze Age date found largely in the topsoil or subsoil on the site, or within later features; Iron Age, Roman and early medieval pottery and other finds; and post-medieval pottery, in addition to ceramic building material and animal bone. Curvilinear ditches and postholes are indicative of Iron Age settlement activity. A single Roman cremation burial was identified which produced a significant quantity of iron nails. Other notable finds included two Roman armlets, one in shale and one in copper alloy, and an early medieval bead. An AD 4th-century coin was recovered from subsoil.
Re-Use Value Statement
This archive can be used independently and/or in in conjunction with the rest of HS2 datasets in order to inform the archaeological features and periods unearthed on this route as interpretations of landscape archaeology. This can also function as a guide to digital archiving for future infrastructure projects benefiting both the commercial sector and the research community.
