Monument record 7169/2/0 - Late Saxon/Medieval iron working site, Fineshade

A large area of slag was identified during field survey. Test pits revealed undisturbed slag and furnace refuse. In one pit, this overlay charcoal which was radiocarbon dated to the medieval period.

{1} Large area with slag and red oxide. Major production site. Likely to be medieval.

{2} Three samples of slag from SP97309800 have been C14 dated with 95% probability to Cal AD 1050 to 1095, Cal AD 1140 to 1290 and Cal AD 1155 to 1285.

{3} Two charcoal samples were obtained here from two heavy concentrations of slag within a 50m diameter slag patch. The test pits showed that underneath the ploughsoil a 150mm undisturbed layer of slag and furnace refuse still remained. In pit one this was overlying a 250mm layer of iron fines and in pit two, a 100mm layer of black ash and charcoal. Both of these gave similar dates of AD 1140-1290 and AD 1155-1285.

<1> Hall D.N., 1960-1999, Rockingham Forest Project: Archaeological Sites Recorded by David Hall, Fineshade/Site 7 (Database). SNN102279.

<2> Bellamy B.; Jackson D.; Johnston G., 2000-01, Early Iron Smelting in the Rockingham Forest Area: A Survey of the Evidence, p.103-128 (unchecked) (Article). SNN103947.

<3> Horne B. (Editor), 2001, South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter (31), p. 39 (Newsletter). SNN112958.

Record last edited

Oct 3 2023 11:53AM