| Title: |
Land north of Bell Plantation, Towcester, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Evaluation |
| Series: |
Cotswold Archaeology unpublished report series
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| Downloads: |
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cotswold2-503731_186031.pdf (22 MB)
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Download
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| Licence Type: |
ADS Terms of Use and Access
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| DOI |
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| Publication Type: |
Report (in Series)
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| Abstract: |
The evaluation fieldwork comprised the excavation of 93no. 50m long by 2m wide
trenches. In May and June 2021, Cotswold Archaeology carried out an
archaeological evaluation of land north of Bell Plantation,
Towcester, Northamptonshire. A total of 93 trenches measuring
50m long by 2m wide were excavated across the proposed
development site.
A preceding geophysical of the Site identified anomalies of
probable and possible archaeological origin interpreted as
multiple settlement complexes with possibly associated field
systems of possible Late Prehistoric to Romano-British date.
The results of the trial trenching broadly confirmed those of
preceding geophysical survey, although a high level of plough
disturbance through the relatively thin ploughsoil was noted to
affect feature preservation across the Site. The strongest
geophysical anomalies corresponded well with features
investigated in the evaluation trenches, although a number of
weaker signals were not matched by features. Furrow
preservation across the Site was similarly variable, with the
geophysical survey recording a much denser system than was
evident in the trenches; surviving furrow remains were also
generally poorly preserved.
Early activity within the Site is represented by a small assemblage
of lithics. While these objects were recovered from later features
they nonetheless hint at the exploitation of the site and
surrounding landscape during these periods.
The evaluation also identified three spatially distinct focal zones
of activity within the Site, two of Late Iron Age – Early Roman
date, comprising the remains of a ring ditch and rectangular
enclosure in the north part of the Site and a third in the south part
of the Site, centred on a smaller square enclosure with possibly
associated external activity. The third area of activity, in the
southwest corner of the Site, adjacent to Watling Street, produced
evidence for activity in the Roman period, with pottery evidence
suggesting a broad 2nd – 4th century date.
The pottery assemblage recovered from the Site comprises for
the most part locally produced vessel types, with very little
evidence for regional or imported wares. Analysis of
environmental samples also suggested the proximity of some
level of domestic settlement activity, producing evidence for
hearth and food preparation waste.
The area of Roman activity in southwest part of the site does not
appear to have been heavily Romanised, with little tile and
virtually no high status or imported pottery having been recovered
from the investigated features. The recovery of industrial waste
and hammerscale from the Site, albeit in limited quantities
suggest industrial processes were taking place in the vicinity.
Evidence for post-Roman activity within the Site is limited
primarily to features relating to the agricultural management of the
landscape. |
| Author: |
Andrew Whelan
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| Publisher: |
Cotswold Archaeology
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| Year of Publication: |
2021
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| Locations: |
| District: |
West Northamptonshire |
| Country: |
England |
| Parish: |
Towcester |
| County: |
Northamptonshire |
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Grid Reference: 468602, 250298 (Easting, Northing)
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| Identifiers: |
| OASIS Id: |
cotswold2-503731 |
| Report id: |
MK0471_2 |
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| Note: |
This report was uploaded to the OASIS system by the named Publisher. The report has been transferred into the ADS Library for public access and to facilitate future research.
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| Source: |
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| Created Date: |
09 Aug 2022 |
