ENN107703 - The Former Dun Cow Pub, 2013 (Excavation)

University of Leicester Archaeological Services (ULAS) carried out an archaeological excavation on land adjacent to The Dun Cow, 2 Gold Street, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire (SP 88823 68331). The work was undertaken as part of an archaeological impact assessment in advance of a proposed residential development. Archaeological features had been identified in a previous evaluation within the area of the proposed building. During the current works an area was stripped to archaeological levels within the proposed building footprint and which revealed further archaeological evidence. A dense concentration of features was exposed dating predominantly to the 12th-13th centuries, and including pits, ditches, gullies, and some structural evidence including one or more hearths. The nature of the features largely suggests domestic activity characteristic of medieval backyards, but the distribution pattern and form of the features suggests that this activity might be associated with structures to the south rather than the Gold Street frontage at the west. Some earlier pottery of late Saxon date was also recovered most probably residual in the later contexts. Some later activity (18th-19th century date) was also identified across the site area, presumably associated with the original public house. The work was carried out for Westleigh Developments Ltd. The Planning authority is the Borough of Wellingborough Council (Planning consent No. WP/2012/0315/FM; WP/2012/0472/CA), and the site archive will be held by Northamptonshire County Council, with the accession no. NHD2013. Information from OASIS Online Form. [HER note 30/09/2014: unable to accurately digitise the excavation area due to lack of detail in source report.]