Archaeological trial trench evaluation at Kettering Phase 2 AW, Warkton Kettering, Northamptonshire November 2023

The evaluation comprised 14 trenches, nine measuring 30m in length and 1.8m in width and five measuring 15m in length and 1.8m in width. Originally fifteen trenches were proposed but Trench 1 was not excavated due to the location of a number of modern services. The trenches were positioned to target anomalies and to investigate 'blank' areas identified by the geophysical survey. The trenches covered the northern c1100m of the proposed pipeline route, but it did not include the southern end of the route and a proposed compound area, as these areas had already been subject to archaeological evaluation. The trenches were located using Leica Viva Survey Grade RTK GPS using SMARTNET real-time corrections, operating to a 3D tolerance of � 0.05m to Ordnance Survey National Grid and Datum. Machine excavation was undertaken under the direction of a suitably experienced archaeologist. The trenches were excavated by a 360 mechanical excavator, fitted with a toothless bucket a minimum of 1.8m wide, to reveal archaeological remains or where these were absent, undisturbed natural horizons. All archaeological deposits and artefacts encountered during the course of evaluation were fully recorded, and all paperwork and plans displayed the Event Number for the site ENN111230. Recording followed standard fieldwork procedures. All archaeological features were given a separate context number. Deposits were described on pro-forma trench sheets to include details of the context, its relationships, interpretation and a checklist of associated finds. The evaluation did not find any significant archaeological features only medieval and post-medieval activity comprising two pits, two ditches and furrows. The only artefacts comprised five sherds of medieval pottery.