Roman Ditches at Whilton Sewage and Water Treatment Works, Whilton, Nr. Daventry, Northamptonshire

On 28th and 29th September 2010 OA East conducted an archaeological evaluation at the proposed extension to Whilton Sewage and Water Treatment site (SP 4620 2652). The archaeological work comprised seven evaluation trenches targeted within the footprint of the proposed new buildings. Archaeological remains were only found within the most northerly trench, located on the highest ground. Three shallow east to west ditches aligned roughly parallel, and less than 0.5m apart, were identified; one is dated by a single Roman pottery sherd. The site is near the base of a hill with the ground continuing to rise to the north-west beyond the evaluation area, and it is possible that these ditches represent the south-eastern edge of a Roman settlement. All the remaining trenches lay on lower land to the south; these contained modern made-ground resulting from landscaping of the site since its establishment as a sewage and water treatment works.