Monument record 953/0/69 - Medieval features, west of Long Buckby Castle

Archaeological investigation prior to development identified a number of medieval ditches. Much of the development area was preserved in situ

{1} Trial trench excavation identified a cobbled surface and a ditch in trench 3. The ditch ran roughly north to south, was 1m wide and 0.45m deep with a U-shaped profile, and its fill contained animal bone and pottery sherds dated to the 11th/12th century. Directly to the west of the ditch and running parallel to it was a cobbled surface c.3.5m wide and slightly sloping to the west. A direct stratigraphic relationship was not obtained between the ditch and road but they are likely to be contemporary due to their physical relationship. The cobbled surface consisted of water-rounded cobbles up to 0.2m by 0.25m in size with some limestone pieces laid flat. The cobbled surface overlaid an undated gully running roughly north to south, 0.35m wide and 0.2m deep.
The probable road ran roughly north to south towards the outer western bailey of the castle. The parallel ditch, given the slight downward slope to the west, may have been intended to prevent water flooding the road. There was no ditch on the road's western side. The road was not seen in Trench 2 where modern activity was found, although it may have been present under the modern build up. This activity was probably contemporary with the castle which would appear to have been provided with an entrance on this side at some point. However, given the uncertainty of the date of the castle and the lack of precision in dating the pottery, it is possible the activity pre-dated the castle.

In trench 1 was a large sub-rounded pit, more than 1.4m long by 1.3m wide and 0.95m deep with very steep edges and a flat base. The pit was backfilled in two stages and the upper fill contained early medieval pottery. At the southern end of the trench was a probable shallow gully, seen for 2.1m before terminating or fading out. The fill of the gully contained several early medieval pottery sherds. These features would seem to be contemporary with the ring and bailey castle to the north suggesting occupation in the vicinity away from the historic core of the town.

{2} Archaeological observation was undertaken during groundwork for construction of two houses. The stone spread observed during the previous trial trench excavation was not recognised, and it was thought likely to just be a dump of stone and cobbles. The large pit observed in 2002 was considered likely to be the terminus of a large, curving medieval ditch. Several other medieval gullies and ditches were also observed.

<1> Atkins R.; Soden I., 2002, Archaeological evaluation of land to the rear of 33 Grasscroft, Long Buckby, Northamptonshire, p.9 (checked) (Report). SNN102095.

<2> Soden, I, 2015, Archaeological investigation, observation and recording on land behind 33 Grasscroft, Harbidges Lane, Long Buckby, Northamptonshire, June 2015 (Report). SNN111937.

Record last edited

May 4 2020 11:57AM