Land at Manor Farm

Northamptonshire

Archaeological Evaluation

for Aitchison Raffety

on behalf of The Parks Trust

CA Project: 660865 CA Report: 17311 Event UID: ENN 108649

June 2017

Land at Manor Farm Passenham

Archaeological Evaluation

CA Project: 660865 CA Report: 17311 Event UID: ENN 108649

Document Control Grid Revision Date Author Checked by Status Reasons for Approved revision by A 20/06/2017 AKM SLC Internal QA MLC review

This report is confidential to the client. Cotswold Archaeology accepts no responsibility or liability to any third party to whom this report, or any part of it, is made known. Any such party relies upon this report entirely at their own risk. No part of this report may be reproduced by any means without permission.

© Cotswold Archaeology

© Cotswold Archaeology Land at Manor Farm, Passenham, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Evaluation

CONTENTS

SUMMARY ...... 2

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 3

2. ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND ...... 4

3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ...... 6

4. METHODOLOGY ...... 6

5. RESULTS (FIGS 2, 4) ...... 7

6. THE FINDS ...... 7

7. DISCUSSION ...... 8

8. CA PROJECT TEAM ...... 8

9. REFERENCES ...... 9

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS ...... 10 APPENDIX B: THE FINDS ...... 11 APPENDIX C: OASIS REPORT FORM ...... 12

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Fig. 1 Site location plan (1:25,000) Fig. 2 Trench location plan showing furrows and field drains (1:1500) Fig. 3 Photograph; pre-works shot of evaluation area, facing north-east Fig. 4 Photograph; Trench 4, containing two furrows, facing north

1 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Manor Farm, Passenham, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Evaluation

SUMMARY

Project Name: Land at Manor Farm, Passenham Location: Passenham, Northamptonshire NGR: 477710 239870 Type: Evaluation Date: 30–31 May 2017 Location of Archive: Currently held at Cotswold Archaeology, ; to be deposited with Archaeological Resource Centre Accession Number: tbc Site Code: PASS17 Event UID: ENN 108649

In May 2017, Cotswold Archaeology carried out an archaeological evaluation of Land at Manor Farm, Passenham, Northamptonshire. The evaluation was undertaken to inform a forthcoming planning application for the relocation of a farmyard building at the site. The fieldwork comprised the excavation of nine trial trenches.

No features or deposits of archaeological interest were observed during the evaluation with the exception of three plough furrows within Trenches 4 and 5. A small amount of post- medieval pottery and undated iron nails were recovered from the plough furrow within Trench 5.

2 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Manor Farm, Passenham, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Evaluation

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 In May 2017 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological evaluation at Land at Manor Farm, Passenham, Northamptonshire (centred on NGR: 477710 239870; Fig. 1). The evaluation was commissioned by Aitchison Raffety on behalf of The Parks Trust.

1.2 The evaluation was undertaken to inform a forthcoming planning application to Northamptonshire County Council (NCC) for the relocation of farmyard buildings within the site. The evaluation, which comprised the excavation of nine trial trenches, was carried out in accordance with two briefs for archaeological evaluation (NCC 2016a and b) prepared by Liz Mordue, the Assistant Archaeological Advisor to Northamptonshire County Council (NCCAAA) and with a subsequent detailed Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) produced by CA (2017a) and approved by the NCCAAA. The fieldwork also followed Standard and guidance: Archaeological Field Evaluation (CIfA 2014) and Management of Research Projects in the Historic Environment (MoRPHE): Project Manager’s Guide (HE 2015). The archive has been prepared in accordance with guidelines outlined in Northamptonshire Archaeological Archives Standard (NAAWG 2014). The archaeological works were monitored by Liz Mordue, including a site visit on 31 May 2017.

The site

1.3 The proposed development area is approximately 0.61ha in size, and comprises agricultural land. The site is bordered to the south-west by Passenham Road and by further agricultural land to the north, east and west. It is situated on the north side of the nearby . The site lies relatively flat at approximately 71m above Ordnance Datum (aOD).

1.4 The underlying bedrock geology of the area is mapped as Lias Group Siltstone and Mudstone of the Jurassic and Triassic period. This is overlain by glaciofluvial sand and gravel in the west and Oadby Member diamicton in the east (BGS 2017).

3 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Manor Farm, Passenham, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Evaluation

2. ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

2.1 The archaeological and historical background of the site has been presented in a brief for a programme of archaeological investigation (NCC 2016a). To add to this background information, data sourced through the Northamptonshire Historic Environment Record has been reviewed, along with and information derived from the results of an excavation by Northamptonshire Archaeology, close to the site at Passenham Quarry (NA 2011). The following section is summarised from these sources.

Prehistoric period

2.2 Excavations by Northamptonshire Archaeology (NA) at nearby Passenham Quarry revealed the heavily truncated remains of four Bronze Age ring ditches with no evident internal features. These excavations also revealed a circular enclosure with possible associated features and a pit alignment with pottery dating to the Early Iron Age (NA 2011). In the wider area evidence of later prehistoric origin has been recovered by metal detector survey, with the recovery of a coin just north of the site (ENN18019); and elsewhere during archaeological investigations, including a small quantity of 1st century pottery, recovered in 2014 during a watching brief at (ENN108497); possible field boundaries identified in 2013 during a watching brief at Deanshanger (ENN106749); and, an Iron Age pit uncovered at Passenham Quarry (ENN108064).

Roman period

2.3 The brief prepared by NCCAAA for a programme of archaeological investigation suggested that the field in which the proposed development area lies comprises an area of probable Roman period settlement. This is thought likely on the basis of a complex area of cropmarks, previously interpreted as possible Romano-British enclosures (ENN7861) and a trackway (ENN7862); as well as pottery and building stone that have been found in the area (NCC 2016; ENN7860). Large quantities of metal finds, including several small votive objects, have also been recovered in the area surrounding the site, and are recorded in the Northamptonshire HER. In addition, to the north and north-east of the site, trial trench evaluation undertaken in 2014 by Oxford Archaeology East revealed the remains of Roman period activity (ENN108470). This also suggests there is a potential for the presence of buried archaeological remains of possible Roman date within the site which may be of

4 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Manor Farm, Passenham, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Evaluation

possible ritual or settlement origin. Cropmarks have been identified within the site which, although at present undated, could be indicative of the presence of such buried archaeological remains (MNN124486). Others are also recorded just north- west of the site (MNN124484), and to the north (MNN124481, MNN124482, MNN124483).

2.4 Excavations carried out by Northamptonshire Archaeology at nearby Passenham Quarry revealed the remains of a Roman mausoleum dated to the mid-2nd century AD, along with four human cremations (NA 2011). Excavations undertaken in 2010 by Cotswold Archaeology at Deanshanger revealed the remains which may be associated with the remains of a former Roman road. Early medieval and medieval pits and ditches were also identified (ENN105615).

Medieval and Post-medieval period

2.5 Remnant ridge-and-furrow earthworks, representative of the former medieval open- field system are visible in the surrounding area on LIDAR imagery and aerial photography. These remains in the former King’s Hill Field are aligned as two blocks in the field to the west of Passenham Road, one block oriented north-west/south- east and one oriented north-east/south-west (MNN134072). Nearby, a shallow bank/ditch earthwork appears to follow the course of the river but post-dates the existing ridge–and-furrow remains, and could therefore be of post-medieval or more recent origin. Evidence of medieval to post-medieval agricultural, and possibly settlement, earthworks is recorded quite extensively in the HER, and reflects the reasonable preservation in Passenham of medieval and post-medieval landscape features. Evidence includes a massive headland in the former ‘Breach Field’, to the south of the site across Passenham Road (MNN19986); remnants of the former open field system, which prevailed in the medieval period and began to be enclosed during the mid-17th century (MNN2091); and possible settlement earthworks to the south-east of the site and adjacent to St Guthlac’s Church (MNN19989).

2.6 The site lies within 500m of the historic core of the village of Passenham. The Whittlewood Forest map c.1608 depicts Passenham adjacent to the River Great Ouse, showing approximately 15 buildings gathered around St Guthlac’s Church (MNN15781), and surrounded by open fields (University of Leicester 2001).

5 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Manor Farm, Passenham, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Evaluation

3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

3.1 The objectives of the evaluation, as stated in the WSI (CA 2017) were to provide information about the archaeological resource within the site, including its presence/absence, character, extent, date, integrity, state of preservation and quality. In accordance with Standard and guidance: Archaeological Field Evaluation (CIfA 2014) the evaluation was designed to be minimally intrusive and minimally destructive to archaeological remains. This information gathered will enable Northamptonshire County Council to identify and assess the particular significance of any heritage asset, consider the impact of the proposed development upon it, and to avoid or minimise conflict between the heritage asset’s conservation and any aspect of the development proposal, in line with the National Planning Policy Framework (DCLG 2012).

4. METHODOLOGY

4.1 The fieldwork comprised the excavation of nine trial trenches (15m long and 2m wide), in the locations shown on the attached plan (Fig. 2). The trench locations represent those specified within the WSI, as approved by NCCAAA. Trenches were set out on OS National Grid (NGR) co-ordinates using Leica GPS, and scanned for live services by trained Cotswold Archaeology staff using CAT and Genny equipment in accordance with the Cotswold Archaeology Safe System of Work for avoiding underground services.

4.2 All trenches were excavated by mechanical excavator equipped with a toothless grading bucket. All machine excavation was undertaken under constant archaeological supervision to the top of the first significant archaeological horizon or the natural substrate, whichever was encountered first. Where archaeological deposits were encountered they were excavated by hand in accordance with CA Technical Manual 1: Fieldwork Recording Manual.

4.3 Deposits were assessed for their palaeoenvironmental potential in accordance with CA Technical Manual 2: The Taking and Processing of Environmental and Other Samples from Archaeological Sites, however no deposits were identified that required sampling. All artefacts recovered were processed in accordance with Technical Manual 3 Treatment of Finds Immediately after Excavation.

6 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Manor Farm, Passenham, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Evaluation

4.4 The archive and artefacts from the evaluation are currently held by CA at their offices in Milton Keynes. Subject to the agreement of the legal landowner the artefacts will be deposited with the Northampton Archaeological Resource Centre (accession number ENN 108649) along with the site archive. A summary of information from this project, set out within Appendix C, will be entered onto the OASIS online database of archaeological projects in Britain.

5. RESULTS (FIGS 2, 4)

5.1 The evaluation comprised the excavation of nine 15m trenches (135 linear metres of trench at 2m wide) in the locations shown in Fig. 2. Details of the recorded contexts and finds can be found in Appendices A and B respectively.

5.2 The natural geological substrate was broadly similar across the site comprising a mixed red-brown to orange-brown sandy silt with frequent gravels, at an average depth of 0.32m below present ground level (bpgl). This was sealed by a mid-grey brown sandy silt topsoil measuring between 0.28m and 0.38m thick. No subsoil layer was encountered.

5.3 No features or deposits of archaeological interest were observed within the nine trial trenches, with the exception of two north-west to south-east-orientated plough furrows (402 and 404) within Trench 4, and one within Trench 5 (502). Plough furrow 402 in Trench 4 measured 1.05m wide and 0.02m deep and contained no dateable artefacts. Plough furrow 502 within Trench 5 measured 1.05m wide and 0.07m deep and contained seven sherds of post-medieval pottery alongside five undated iron nails.

5.4 In addition, two modern field drains were recorded within Trench 3 and one each within Trenches 6 and 7.

6. THE FINDS

6.1 Artefactual material from the evaluation was hand-recovered from one deposit (a furrow fill). The recovered material dates to the post-medieval period and quantities of the artefact types are given in Appendix B. The pottery has been recorded according to sherd count/weight per fabric.

7 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Manor Farm, Passenham, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Evaluation

Pottery 6.2 A total of seven sherds (54g) of post-medieval pottery was retrieved from fill 503 of furrow 502 (Trench 5), all in a very good unabraded condition. Four sherds of glazed earthenware (GRE) are dateable to the mid 16th to 18th centuries. Imported from Germany during the late 17th to 18th centuries was a bodysherd in Westerwald stoneware (WES). A base sherd from a vessel in white salt-glazed stoneware (WSG) is of 18th century date and a bodysherd of black-glazed earthenware (BGR) dates to the 18th to 19th centuries.

Other finds 6.3 Fill 503 of furrow 502 (Trench 5) also produced five iron nails (115g) of uncertain date.

7. DISCUSSION

7.1 Despite the archaeological potential of the development area (Section 2), the evaluation revealed no archaeological remains predating the post-medieval period. Of the nine trial trenches excavated, seven (Trenches 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8 and 9) did not reveal any features with the exception of modern land drains in Trenches 3, 6 and 7. Trenches 4 and 5 revealed the bases of three north-west/south-east-orientated plough furrows.

7.2 It is possible these plough furrows are the remnant remains of ridge-and-furrow- earthworks representative of the former medieval open field system, visible on LIDAR imagery/aerial photography in the surrounding area (Section 2.5). The post- medieval pottery found within plough furrow 502 (Trench 5) does however suggests a post-medieval date for the plough furrows, although it is possible this material is intrusive from later ploughing of the field.

8. CA PROJECT TEAM

Fieldwork was undertaken by Anna Moosbauer, assisted by Callum Ruse. The report was written by Anna Moosbauer. The finds evidence report was written by Jacky Sommerville. The illustrations were prepared by Charlotte Patman. The archive has been compiled and prepared for deposition by Emily Evans. The project was managed for CA by Michelle Collings.

8 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Manor Farm, Passenham, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Evaluation

9. REFERENCES

BGS (British Geological Survey) 2015 Geology of Britain Viewer http://mapapps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyofbritain/home.html (accessed 31 May 2017)

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2017 Land at Manor Farm, Passenham, Northamptonshire: Written Scheme of Investigation for an Archaeological Evaluation

CIfA 2014 Standards and guidance: Archaeological field evaluation Reading, Chartered Institute for Archaeologists

DCLG (Department of Communities and Local Government) 2012 National Planning Policy Framework

HE (Historic ) 2015 Management of research projects in the historic environment; the MoRPHE project managers guide Swindon, Historic England

NAAWG (Northamptonshire Archaeological Archives Working Group) 2014 Northamptonshire archaeological archives standards (Standards Working Party of Northamptonshire Archaeological Archives Working Group)

NCC (Northamptonshire County Council) 2016a Brief for a programme of archaeological investigation of Land at Manor Farm, Passenham, Northamptonshire

NCC (Northamptonshire County Council) 2016b Brief for the archaeological field evaluation of Land at Manor Farm, Passenham, Northamptonshire

NA(Northamptonshire Archaeology) 2011 An assessment of the archaeological excavation of Areas 5, 6, and 7, Passenham Quarry, Calverton, Milton Keynes, Northamptonshire Archaeology Report 11/136

University of Leicester 2001 Deanshanger and Passenham; Whittlewood Project http://www.le.ac.uk/elh/whittlewood/deanshanger.html (accessed 16 March 2017)

9 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Manor Farm, Passenham, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Evaluation

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS

Trench Context Type Fill of Context Description L (m) W (m) D (m) Spot-date No. No. interpretation 1 100 Layer Topsoil Mid-grey brown sandy silt, some >15.0 >2.0 0.36 gravel 1 101 Layer Natural Mid-orange brown sandy silt, frequent >15.0 >2.0 gravel 2 200 Layer Topsoil Mid-grey brown sandy silt, some >15.0 >2.0 0.34 gravel 2 201 Layer Natural Mid-orange brown sandy silt, frequent >15.0 >2.0 gravel 3 300 Layer Topsoil Mid-grey brown sandy silt, some >15.0 >2.0 0.26 gravel 3 301 Layer Natural Mid-orange brown sandy silt, frequent >15.0 >2.0 gravel 4 400 Layer Topsoil Mid-grey brown sandy silt, some >15.0 >2.0 0.28 gravel 4 401 Layer Natural Mid-brown red sandy silt, frequent >15.0 >2.0 gravel 4 402 Cut Cut of furrow Very shallow, only wide flat base >2.30 1.05 0.02 surviving 4 403 Fill 402 Fill of furrow Mid-brown grey sandy clay, frequent >2.30 1.05 0.02 gravel 4 404 Cut Cut of furrow Very-shallow, only wide flat base >2.30 1.07 surviving 4 405 Fill 404 Fill of furrow Mid-brown grey sandy clay, frequent >2.30 1.07 gravel 5 500 Layer Topsoil Mid-grey brown sandy silt, some >15.0 >2.0 0.34 gravel 5 501 Layer Natural Mid-brown red sandy silt, frequent >15.0 >2.0 gravel 5 502 Cut Cut of furrow Very shallow, only wide flat base >2.30 1.21 0.07 surviving 5 503 Fill 502 Fill of furrow Mid-brown grey sandy clay, some >2.30 1.21 0.07 C18 charcoal flecks and gravel 6 600 Layer Topsoil Mid-grey brown sandy silt, some >15.0 >2.0 0.27 gravel 6 601 Layer Natural Mid-brown red sandy silt, frequent >15.0 >2.0 gravel 7 700 Layer Topsoil Mid-grey brown sandy silt, some >15.0 >2.0 0.33 gravel 7 701 Layer Natural Mid-brown red sandy silt, frequent >15.0 >2.0 gravel 8 800 Layer Topsoil Mid-grey brown sandy silt, some >15.0 >2.0 0.35 gravel 8 801 Layer Natural Mid-brown red sandy silt, frequent >15.0 >2.0 gravel 9 900 Layer Topsoil Mid-grey brown sandy silt, some >15.0 >2.0 0.38 gravel 9 901 Layer Natural Mid-brown red sandy silt, frequent >15.0 >2.0 gravel

10 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Manor Farm, Passenham, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Evaluation

APPENDIX B: THE FINDS

Context Category Description Fabric Count Weight (g) Spot-date Code 503 Post-medieval pottery Glazed earthenware GRE 4 29 C18 Post-medieval pottery Westerwald stoneware WES 1 14 Post-medieval pottery White salt-glazed stoneware WSG 1 9 Post-medieval/modern Brown-glazed earthenware BGR 1 2 pottery Iron Nail 5 115

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APPENDIX C: OASIS REPORT FORM

PROJECT DETAILS

Project Name Land at Manor Farm, Passenham, Northamptonshire Short description In May 2017, Cotswold Archaeology carried out an archaeological evaluation of Land at Manor Farm, Passenham, Northamptonshire. The evaluation was undertaken to inform a forthcoming planning application for relocation of farmyard building at the site. The fieldwork comprised the excavation of nine trial trenches.

No features or deposits of archaeological interest were observed during groundworks with the exception of three plough furrows within Trenches 4 and 5. A small amount of post-medieval pottery and undated iron nails were recovered from the plough furrow within Trench 5. Project dates 30–31 May 2017 Project type Field evaluation

Previous work Not known

Future work Unknown PROJECT LOCATION Site Location Land at Manor Farm, Passenham, Northamptonshire Study area (M2/ha) 0.61ha Site co-ordinates 477710 239870

PROJECT CREATORS Name of organisation Cotswold Archaeology Project Brief originator Northamptonshire County Council Project Design (WSI) originator Cotswold Archaeology

Project Manager Michelle Collings Project Supervisor Anna Moosbauer MONUMENT TYPE None SIGNIFICANT FINDS None PROJECT ARCHIVES Intended final location of archive Content (e.g. pottery, (museum/Accession no.) animal bone etc)

Physical Northamptonshire Archaeological Pottery, iron nails Resource Centre Paper Northamptonshire Archaeological Trench sheets, general Resource Centre registers, section drawings Digital Northamptonshire Archaeological Digital photographs, site Resource Centre survey data BIBLIOGRAPHY

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2017 Land at Manor Farm, Passenham, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Evaluation CA Report 17311

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N Andover 01264 347630 Cirencester 01285 771022 Cotswold Exeter 01392 826185 Archaeology Milton Keynes 01908 564660 w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk WARWICKSHIRE e [email protected]

RE PROJECT TITLE NORTHAMPTONSHIRE MILTON Land at Manor Farm, Passenham, KEYNES Northamptonshire BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

FIGURE TITLE BEDFORDSHIRELUTON Site location plan 0 1km OXFORDSHIRE FIGURE NO. HERTFORDSHIRE Reproduced from the digital Ordnance Survey Explorer map with DRAWN BY CP PROJECT NO. 660865 the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller CHECKED BY DJB DATE 05/06/2017 of Her Majesty's Stationery Office c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109 APPROVED BY MC SCALE@A4 1:25,000 1 477575 477775 N

239975

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site boundary evaluation trench furrow T9 field drain

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404 T4 402 502 T6 T5

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Reproduced from the Ordnance Survey digital mapping with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109.

Andover 01264 347630 Cirencester 01285 771022 Exeter 01392 826185 Milton Keynes 01908 564660 w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE Land at Manor Farm, Passenham, Northamptonshire Manor FIGURE TITLE Trench location plan showing furrows Farm and field drains

DRAWN BY CP PROJECT NO. 660865 FIGURE NO. CHECKED BY DJB DATE 05/06/2017 APPROVED BY MC SCALE@A3 1:1500 2 P:\660865 Land at Manor Farm, Passenham, Northamptonshire\Illustration\Drafts\660865 Fig 2.dwg Pre-works shot of evaluation area, facing north-east

Andover 01264 347630 Cirencester 01285 771022 Cotswold Exeter 01392 826185 Archaeology Milton Keynes 01908 564660 w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE Land at Manor Farm, Passenham, Northamptonshire

FIGURE TITLE Photograph

DRAWN BY CP PROJECT NO. 660865 FIGURE NO. CHECKED BY DJB DATE 05/06/2017 APPROVED BY MC SCALE@A4 N/A 3 Trench 4, containing two furrows, facing north (scales 1m)

Andover 01264 347630 Cirencester 01285 771022 Cotswold Exeter 01392 826185 Archaeology Milton Keynes 01908 564660 w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE Land at Manor Farm, Passenham, Northamptonshire

FIGURE TITLE Photograph

DRAWN BY CP PROJECT NO. 660865 FIGURE NO. CHECKED BY DJB DATE 05/06/2017 APPROVED BY MC SCALE@A4 N/A 4

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