Yelvertoft Marina Yelvertoft Northamptonshire Programme of Archaeological Work

for SBRice Consulting

CA Project: 660238 CA Report: 14349

August 2014

Yelvertoft Marina Yelvertoft Northamptonshire

Programme of Archaeological Work

CA Project: 660238 CA Report: 14349

prepared by Peter James, Project Supervisor

date 31 July 2014

checked by Derek Evans, Project Manager

date 1 August 2014

approved by Simon Carlyle, Principal Fieldwork Manager

signed

date 1 August 2014

issue 01

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.

Cirencester Milton Keynes Andover Building 11 Unit 4 Stanley House Kemble Enterprise Park Cromwell Business Centre Walworth Road Kemble, Cirencester Howard Way, Newport Pagnell Andover, Hampshire Gloucestershire, GL7 6BQ MK16 9QS SP10 5LH t. 01285 771022 t. 01908 218320 t. 01264 347630 f. 01285 771033 e. [email protected] © Cotswold Archaeology Yelvertoft Marina, Yelvertoft, Northamptonshire: Programme of Archaeological Work

CONTENTS

SUMMARY ...... 2

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 3

The site ...... 3 Archaeological background ...... 4 Archaeological objectives ...... 4 Methodology...... 5

2. RESULTS ...... 8

3. DISCUSSION ...... 9

4. CA PROJECT TEAM ...... 9

5. REFERENCES ...... 9

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS ...... 10

APPENDIX B: OASIS REPORT FORM...... 11

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Fig. 1 Site location plan (1:25,000) Fig. 2 The site, showing earthwork survey results (1:1000) Fig. 3 Section of stripped area, looking south (scale 1m) Fig. 4 Stripped area, looking north-west

1 © Cotswold Archaeology Yelvertoft Marina, Yelvertoft, Northamptonshire: Programme of Archaeological Work

SUMMARY

Project Name: Yelvertoft Marina Location: Yelvertoft, Northamptonshire NGR: SP 5998 7416 Type: Archaeological earthwork survey and programme of archaeological observation, investigation and recording Date: 16–17 April and 23–29 May 2014 Planning Reference: DA/2013/0116 Location of Archive: Currently held by Cotswold Archaeology (Milton Keynes Office) Site Code: YMY 14

In April and May 2014, Cotswold Archaeology carried out a programme of archaeological work at Yelvertoft Marina, Yelvertoft, Northamptonshire. The programme of archaeological work comprised two elements: an archaeological earthwork survey of extant ridge and furrow, and a programme of archaeological observation, investigation and recording during development groundworks.

2 © Cotswold Archaeology Yelvertoft Marina, Yelvertoft, Northamptonshire: Programme of Archaeological Work

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 In April and May 2014, Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out a programme of archaeological work for SBRice Consulting at Yelvertoft Marina, Yelvertoft, Northamptonshire (centred on NGR: SP 5998 7416; Fig. 1). The programme of archaeological work comprised two elements:

• an archaeological earthwork survey; and • a programme of archaeological observation, investigation and recording during development groundworks.

1.2 Planning permission for the construction of a new narrowboat slipway off the Grand Union Canal and the establishment of associated areas of hard-standing was granted at appeal by Daventry District Council (DDC; the local planning authority), conditional on a programme of archaeological work (Planning Ref: DA/2013/0116; Condition 4). A brief for the archaeological work (NCC 2014) was issued subsequently by Liz Mordue, the Northamptonshire County Council Assistant Archaeological Advisor (the archaeological advisor to DDC).

1.3 The programme of archaeological observation, investigation and recording was carried out in accordance the brief and a subsequent detailed written scheme of investigation (WSI) produced by CA (2014) and approved by DDC acting on the advice of Liz Mordue. The fieldwork also followed the Standard and Guidance for an Archaeological Watching brief (IfA 2009), the Management of Archaeological Projects 2 (English Heritage 1991), and the Management of Research Projects in the Historic Environment (MORPHE): Project Manager’s Guide (English Heritage 2006). It was monitored by Liz Mordue.

The site

1.4 The development site encloses a total area of approximately 0.46ha. It lies within the northern part of a pastoral field on the edge of the Grand Union Canal, some 1.3km south-east of Yelvertoft Village. The Yelvertoft Marina lies approximately 90m to the north-east of the site.

3 © Cotswold Archaeology Yelvertoft Marina, Yelvertoft, Northamptonshire: Programme of Archaeological Work

1.5 The Grand Union Canal forms the north-western site boundary, with the remainder of the field boundaries being hedgelines. The site lies at approximately 125m AOD and is fairly level.

1.6 The underlying bedrock geology of the site is mapped as Charmouth Mudstone Formation of the Jurassic Period. No superficial deposits are recorded (BGS 2014).

Archaeological background

1.7 The following information is summarised from the brief (NCC 2014).

1.8 Worked flints found at Cracks Hill, to the south-west of the site, provide evidence for prehistoric activity in the vicinity. Fieldwalking finds and cropmarks to the south of Yelvertoft village and to the west of Yelvertoft Marina indicate probable prehistoric and Roman settlement.

1.9 The field containing the site features ridge and furrow earthworks, which are the remnants of a medieval/early post-medieval agricultural field system.

Archaeological objectives

1.10 As defined in the brief (NCC 2014), the objectives of the programme of archaeological work were to:

• establish the date, nature and extent of any activity or occupation in the development site; • establish the relationship of any archaeological remains found at the site to the surrounding contemporary landscapes; • recover artefacts to assist in the development of type series within the region; and • recover palaeoenvironmental remains to determine local environmental conditions.

1.11 As the proposed development site is within an area with potential for prehistoric and Roman settlement (see Archaeological background, above), the programme of archaeological work was considered to have the potential to provide information on

4 © Cotswold Archaeology Yelvertoft Marina, Yelvertoft, Northamptonshire: Programme of Archaeological Work

the following research objectives identified in the East Midlands Heritage Research Agenda (Knight, Vyner and Allen 2012):

• Research Objective 4C: Characterise the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age settlement resource and investigate intra-regional variability; and • Research Objective 5H: Investigate the landscape context of [Roman] rural settlements.

1.12 Additionally, the recording of the ridge and furrow earthworks is in line with Research Objective 7I of the Agenda, which is to: “Investigate the development of the [medieval] open-field system and medieval woodland management.” Ridge and furrow earthworks remain important elements of the landscape character in Northamptonshire, and detailed surveys have the potential to significantly enhance our understanding of the origins of this agricultural system and its development over time.

Methodology

1.13 The programme of archaeological work comprised two elements:

• an archaeological survey of the ridge and furrow earthworks within the field containing the development site; and • a programme of archaeological observation, investigation and recording during groundworks associated with the development.

1.14 The fieldwork followed the methodology set out within the WSI (CA 2014).

Earthwork survey

1.15 The earthwork survey was undertaken prior to the commencement of the development groundworks. All of the ridge and furrow groundworks within the entire field containing the new slipway site were surveyed, rather than just those within the development site itself; this was to ensure that the earthworks within the slipway site were put within their context prior to destruction.

5 © Cotswold Archaeology Yelvertoft Marina, Yelvertoft, Northamptonshire: Programme of Archaeological Work

Equipment, calibration and verification

1.16 Measured survey was carried out using a combination of Leica 1200 and Viva series “SmartRover” (real-time kinematic) RTK GPS and TCRP1203 robotic Total Station instruments. The Leica RTK GPS is quoted as +/- 20mm in accuracy for all 3D observations and measurements, and the Leica TCRP1203 R100 has a quoted horizontal and vertical accuracy of 3”. CA has a fleet of CST and Sokkia automatic levels which are serviced annually and recalibrated when required.

1.17 All instruments are calibrated or verified (as appropriate) in accordance with RICS guidelines (e.g. ISBN: 9781842193525). Where there is no published guideline, accepted industry practice has been adopted.

1.18 When heights were surveyed using RTK, the accuracy was monitored by observing points of known height established for this purpose at intervals during the survey day. The results of these observations were logged with their date and time and the record was submitted with the Report of Survey. As a minimum, these observations were taken before the commencement of surveying and as the last observation at the end of each survey day. Following any losses of initialisation or if the surveyor was unsure that the equipment was operating properly, the surveyor staked-out a previously observed point and took an observation on it to check the reinitialisation. When necessary, the instrument was powered-down in order to force reinitialisation.

1.19 When Kinematic GNSS data collectors were used for earthwork measurement they were set to a horizontal precision of 30mm and a vertical precision of 50mm.

1.20 For spirit-levelling instruments, a two-peg test was carried out at the beginning of each survey day and if the instrument received a knock.

Survey control

1.21 Permanent and temporary survey control stations were established according to good survey practice. A series of survey control stations were identified or installed which provided sufficient coverage of the areas to be surveyed, and were either intervisible or offered views to suitable mapped control. The OS co-ordinates of the

6 © Cotswold Archaeology Yelvertoft Marina, Yelvertoft, Northamptonshire: Programme of Archaeological Work

survey stations were established using the Leica 1200/Viva GPS, with an accuracy of +/- 20 mm.

1.22 All horizontal and vertical control was derived directly or indirectly from the OS Net. For guidance on good practice, the RICS Guidelines for the use of GNSS in Surveying and Mapping (ISBN 1842190938) were used as reference.

1.23 At least two network RTK stations were observed, and if one was required as an RO for total station observations there was sufficient distance between them for a ‘strong’ bearing control. Observations were made in accordance with the TSA guidance notes, using at least two periods of three-minute observations separated by at least 20 minutes. Additionally, observations were pre-planned so that each window of observation was made under different satellite configurations.

1.24 Each new CA survey station which was located within 300m of an OSBM was levelled from the OSBM and the result was recorded in the survey archive.

Survey detail

1.25 Detail data was be captured using the GPS and/or Total Station instruments to log coded points and string lines, using CA’s comprehensive codelist. Where obvious topographical features such as earthworks were visible, these were surveyed on the basis of break-of-slope.

1.26 Detail survey was supported by hand measurement, field notes and photographs (digital colour).

Presentation of results

1.27 Once the survey fieldwork was complete, the data was downloaded from the instrument into Leica GeoOffice, a proprietary survey processing package, and then exported to a CAD system, from which a plan drawing was produced. This is a composite of surveyed data, superimposed on detail obtained from the OS basemap, and supported by manually-recorded additional information.

7 © Cotswold Archaeology Yelvertoft Marina, Yelvertoft, Northamptonshire: Programme of Archaeological Work

Programme of archaeological observation, investigation and recording

1.28 An archaeologist was present during intrusive groundworks, which comprised the stripping of topsoil and subsoil from the development footprint (Fig. 2). Written, graphic and photographic records were compiled in accordance with CA Technical Manual 1: Fieldwork Recording Manual (2013).

1.29 There is currently no archaeological archive depository able to accept material from this part of Northamptonshire. The project archive will therefore be held by CA at their offices in Milton Keynes until such time as a suitable depository is available and arrangements have been made for the transfer of the archive. A summary of information from this project, as set out within Appendix B, will be entered onto the OASIS online database of archaeological projects in Britain.

2. RESULTS

Earthwork survey 2.1 See Figure 2. The shallow remains of ridge and furrow earthworks were recorded throughout the surveyed field. The earthworks measured approximately 7m–9m from ridge to ridge, and had an average depth of 0.2m from the tops of the ridges to the bases of the furrows.

2.2 Three distinct earthwork alignments were apparent, indicating that the surveyed field covered parts of three former ridge and furrow fields. The north-eastern half of the site contained north-west/south-east-aligned earthworks; the south-western half of the site contained north-east/south-west-aligned earthworks; and an area at the western site boundary contained east/west-aligned earthworks.

Programme of archaeological observation, investigation and recording 2.3 See Figures 3 and 4. Natural substrate 102 comprised yellow-brown sandy clay with pockets of grey-blue alluvial clays and was exposed at an average depth of 0.64m below the present ground surface. It was sealed by 0.34m of sandy clay subsoil 101, which was covered in turn by up to 0.3m of topsoil 100. No archaeological features or deposits were observed, and no artefactual material pre-dating the modern period was recovered.

3. DISCUSSION

3.1 The programme of archaeological work recorded the earthwork remains of a medieval/early post-medieval ridge and furrow agricultural field system, and demonstrated that the field containing the site covered parts of three distinct ridge and furrow fields. Archaeological monitoring of the development groundworks found no evidence for any other human activity at the site. This indicates that the possible prehistoric and Roman activity recorded in the vicinity of the site did not extend as far as the site itself.

4. CA PROJECT TEAM

The fieldwork was undertaken by Peter James and Caoimhin O Coileain. The report was written by Peter James. The illustrations were prepared by Dan Bashford. The archive has been compiled by Peter James and Emily Evans, and prepared for deposition by Nicola Powell. The project was managed for CA by Derek Evans.

5. REFERENCES

BGS (British Geological Survey) 2014 Geology of Britain Viewer http://maps.bgs.ac.uk/geology viewer_google/googleviewer.html Accessed 25 March 2014

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2014 Yelvertoft Marina, Yelvertoft, Northamptonshire: Written Scheme of Investigation for a Programme of Archaeological Work

Knight, D; Vyner, B; Allen, C 2012 East Midlands Heritage: An Updated Research Agenda and Strategy for the Historic Environment of the East Midlands University of Nottingham/York Archaeological Trust

NCC (Northamptonshire County Council) 2014 Brief for a programme of archaeological observation, investigation, recording, analysis and publication of works at Yelvertoft Marina, Yelvertoft, Northamptonshire

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS

Context Type Context Description Depth/thickness No. interpretation (m) 100 Layer Topsoil Medium grey brown sandy clay 0.3 101 Layer Subsoil Medium yellow brown sandy clay 0.34 102 Layer Natural Medium yellow brown sandy clay with pockets of grey blue - alluvial clays

APPENDIX B: OASIS REPORT FORM

PROJECT DETAILS

Project Name Yelvertoft Marina, Yelvertoft, Northamptonshire: Programme of Archaeological Work Short description (250 words maximum) In April and May 2014, Cotswold Archaeology carried out a programme of archaeological work at Yelvertoft Marina, Yelvertoft, Northamptonshire. The programme of archaeological work comprised two elements: an archaeological earthwork survey of extant ridge and furrow within the field containing the site; and a programme of archaeological observation, investigation and recording during development groundworks.

The archaeological work demonstrated that the field containing the site covered parts of three distinct medieval/early post-medieval ridge and furrow agricultural fields. Archaeological monitoring of the development groundworks found no evidence for any other human activity at the site. Project dates 16–17 April and 23–29 May 2014 Project type Earthwork survey; programme of archaeological observation, (e.g. desk-based, field evaluation, etc.) investigation and recording Previous work None (reference to organisation or SMR numbers, etc.) Future work None PROJECT LOCATION Site Location Yelvertoft Marina, Yelvertoft, Northamptonshire Study area (M2/ha) 0.46ha Site co-ordinates (8 Fig Grid Reference) SP 5998 7416 PROJECT CREATORS Name of organisation Cotswold Archaeology Project Brief originator Northamptonshire County Council Project Design (WSI) originator Cotswold Archaeology Project Manager Derek Evans Project Supervisor Peter James and Caoimhin O Coileain MONUMENT TYPE None SIGNIFICANT FINDS None PROJECT ARCHIVES Intended final location of archive Content (e.g. pottery, (museum/Accession no.) animal bone etc.) Physical N/A N/A Paper Currently held by Cotswold Trench sheets, registers, Archaeology (Milton Keynes Office) etc. Digital Currently held by Cotswold Digital photos, survey, Archaeology (Milton Keynes Office) etc. BIBLIOGRAPHY Cotswold Archaeology 2014 Yelvertoft Marina, Yelvertoft, Northamptonshire: Programme of Archaeological Work CA typescript report 14349

11 N Cirencester 01285 771022 Milton Keynes 01908 218320 Cotswold Andover 01264 347630 Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE Yelvertoft Marina, Yelvertoft development site Northamptonshire Northamptonshire earthwork survey FIGURE TITLE area Site location plan

0 1km

FIGURE NO. Reproduced from the 2006 Ordnance Survey Explorer map with PROJECT NO. 660238 DATE 16-06-2014 the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller DRAWN BY DJB REVISION 00 of Her Majesty's Stationery Office c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109 APPROVED BY LM SCALE@A4 1:25,000 1 N

development site earthwork survey area top of ridge bottom of furrow

Inset B

Inset A A

Inset B: hachure plan of ridge and furrow 0 50m

Reproduced from the digital Ordnance Survey Explorer map with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109 Inset A: profile of ridge and furrow Cirencester 01285 771022 Cotswold Milton Keynes 01908 218320 Section AA Andover 01264 347630 Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected] NW SE 131.5m PROJECT TITLE AOD Yelvertoft Marina, Yelvertoft Northamptonshire FIGURE TITLE The site, showing earthwork survey results 0 10m

PROJECT NO. 660238 DATE 16-06-2014 FIGURE NO. 0 10m DRAWN BY DJB REVISION 00 APPROVED BY LM SCALE@A4 1:1000 2 3

Cirencester 01285 771022 Milton Keynes 01908 218320 Cotswold Andover 01264 347630 3 Section of stripped area, looking south (scale 1m) Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

4 Stripped area, looking north-west PROJECT TITLE Yelvertoft Marina, Yelvertoft Northamptonshire FIGURE TITLE Photographs

PROJECT NO. 660238 DATE 16-06-2014 FIGURE NO. DRAWN BY DJB REVISION 00 APPROVED BY LM SCALE@A4 N/A 3 & 4