Monument record 2600/0/46 - Middle Saxon to early medieval occupation, Peterborough Road

Archaeological investigations have uncovered part of a settlement dating from the 8th century until the 11th or early 12th century. In the 12th century the site was given over to cultivation and remaining peripheral to the main focus of occupation until the present day

{1} Geophysical survey of 4ha of farmland in Warmington was undertaken 1997. A series of linear anomalies largely in the north-east part of the plot denotes the remains of sub-rectangular ditched enclosures. Their overlapping character indicates that more than one phase or period of use is represented.

{2} Trial trench excavation identified a late Saxon-early medieval enclosure system occupying the north-eastern corner of the field, but with outlying boundaries extending to both west and south. The linear ditches in the north-eastern part of the site are broadly dated to the period 900-1200 AD, however it is possible that the main phase of activity occurred between 1050 and 1000 AD. This may well be a short-lived settlement dating to the immediate post-Norman Conquest period. A chronological and functional relationship with the moated site to the immediate east is possible but cannot be confirmed.

{3} Excavation of the site at Manor Farm confirmed that the main phase of activity was a series of enclosures pits and postholes dating to the middle to late Saxon period, although the main focus of activity lay further west than anticipated. The main phase of occupation, in the 10th and 11th centuries, was characterisied by a focus of buildings with a system of small enclosures running to the stream at the north of the site. The form of the site was entirely surrounded and divorced from the later medieval settlement pattern indicating that the tenurial and communication pattern of the latter period did not continue any reference to this period of settlement.

The first phase probably dated to the early-middle Saxon period, not extending much beyond about 850 AD. Only one enclosure dated to this period, although this may be a reflection of the loss of features by later truncation and recutting or the use of less archaeological visible elements such as hedges. In Phase II, probably dating to the latter part of the 10th century a new system of enclosures were defined by a series of ditches with predominately NS and EW alignments. The predominant elements appeared to define two corridors or droves one from W to E and the other from N to S. The junction between the two systems lay beyond the limit of excavation. The north to south droveway was defined by two ditches 12m apart. Neither of the two ditches was demonstrated to run as far as the southern limit of excavation. This route is on the same alignment as the postulated Roman road between Water Newton and Titchmarsh (if it didn't dog-leg to the west) and may therefore be a continuation of this earlier route.
The E to W Droveway was defined by two ditches 13.5m apart. Both of the ditch lines terminate at approx the same point in the west suggesting the boundary was not defined or marked by means of a hedgerow. In Phase III the enclosure system was modified, but the final phase of actvity did not continue to reflect the previous north-south alignment, which might suggest that the drove had ceased to function. The ditches in this phase may have been primarily for stock management.

In the western part of the site there was located a series of spreads of occupational debris, postholes and shallow potential structural slots identified as the focus of late Saxon occupation and domestic activity. A concentration of early-middle Saxon pottery may reflect the presence of structures whose form was not recognised. This area was slightly higher than the remainder of the site possibly situated for protection against flooding. The post-pits possibly represent a series of structures and fenced boundaries. Key structural elements such as hearths and larger door post holes were not identified. The predominate axes of alignment consistently appeared to be the same as those of the enclosures. Further structural groups were identified in the south-eastern part of the site including a small ring gully, the function of which was not clear.

<1> Soden, I & Masters, P, 1996, Manor Farm, Warmington, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Evaluation, November 1996 (Report). SNN72801.

<2> CHAPMAN A., 1997, Archaeological Trial Excavation of Land at Manor House, Warmington, Northamptonshire, January-February 1997, (unchecked) (Report). SNN45803.

<3> Meadows I., 2002, Peterborough Road, Warmington, Northamptonshire: Excavations 1998, Final Report, Section 4.2.2 (Report). SNN102276.

<4> Chapman A, 1998-9, Warmington, Manor House, (unchecked) (Note). SNN104066.

<5> Chapman A, 1998-9, Warmington, Manor House, (unchecked) (Note). SNN104066.

<6> Chapman A, 1998-9, Warmington, Manor House, (unchecked) (Note). SNN104066.

<7> 1999, Medieval Archaeology (43), p.272 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN107451.

Record last edited

Nov 17 2022 10:23AM