Monument record 1160/141/2 - Medieval and post-medieval activity, Campbell Street

Archaeological evaluation revealed medieval pits and gullies and the foundation of a wall corner, as well as a number of undated pits and ditches. There was extensive later post-medieval activity including pits and a considerable modern overburden.

{1} The only possible medieval feature in Trench 1 is the foundation of the corner of a wall 0.56m wide. It consists of ironstone blocks laid together, but no evidence of mortar. Most of the wall was a single course in height, although up to three courses were traced. No dating evidence was recovered. The earliest features in Trench 2 were a pit and ditch. The pit was 3m long x 1.8m wide x at least 2.8m deep and cut natural clay. Its form suggests that it may be a ditch terminal, or the curving edge of a pit. No dateable finds, but the pit was cut by early medieval features. The ditch ran east-west across the trench and was 5.8m wide x 2.8m deep, also cutting natural clay. Again there were no dateable finds.

Gully containing animal bone and a single sherd of pottery dating to c.1000-1200. This was cut by a pit and a further gully.
Two undated postholes were also recorded.

At the south-east end of Trench 2 was a pit 0.9m x 0.4m in size, coontaining nine sherds of pottery dating to c.1250-1500. This was cut by a large posthole containing residual pottery and charcoal. A sequence of pits in turn cut these features, some containing similarly dated pottery, thought to be residual.

Post medieval features were exposed beneath small cellars. The earliest post-medieval feature was one edge of a cut running north-east to south-west across Trench 1. Further excavation was not possible. Possible quarry pit, or a pit with some other function. Part of the fill contained a single sherd of C17th pottery.

Three large post medieval pits. C18th pottery, animal bone and charcoal was recovered from the fills. Also a number of small finds including a copper alloy lace chape and a copper alloy pin. Other pits contained C18th, C19th and C20th pottery.

<1> Lloyd R., 2001, An Archaeological Evaluation of 30-40 Campbell Street, Northampton, April 2001, p.4 (checked) (Report). SNN102222.

Record last edited

Dec 8 2020 10:27AM