Monument record 1160/36 - Early Middle Saxon buildings and metal working, Marefair

Excavation on the north side of Marefair in 1977 identified a possible timber-framed early middle Saxon building with further possible buildings to the north and west. Associated with metalworking

{1} Rescue excavation was undertaken between January and July 1977 in advance of proposed redevelopment. In Area B there was a multi-phase slot forming the corner of substantial timber building- probably timber-framed, possibly incorporating planks with an infill of cob or turf; to the north numerous postholes- form no conclusive structures; may represent subsidiary structures or fencing.

A timber slot of a different structure revealed in Area A;

detailed description and plan; two Saxon glass vessel body fragments found from Phase 2; one blue with white trails earlier than AD700; another yellow-green & from earlier Saxon period;,

Traces of metalworking associated with early middle Saxon timber buildings include iron bloomery slag and forging slag. Iron finds included two buckle frames and a bar fragment. There was a crucible fragment with traces of copper working and dribbles of molten copper alloy and copper alloy turnings and sheet fragments; copper alloy objects included a possible washer or rove.

A possible natural accumulation of silty sand contained further evidence of metalworking; two yellowish green glass vessel body fragments of the earlier Saxon period. Also a possible fragment of hearth lining, a piece of ferruginous grit may have been used for honing, worked animal bone (possibly a tool fashioned from pig humerous and a pierced sheep tibia).

{2} Saxon/early medieval layers produced traces of timber structures including corner of substantial rectangular timber building apparently aligned on Marefair. There was a small amount of copperworking and ironworking debris found in association with early middle Saxon settlement.

{3}Saxon/early medieval layers produced traces of timber structures including corner of substantial rectangular timber building apparently aligned on Marefair;,

{4}Early/Middle Saxon post-in-slot timber building set parallel to Marefair;

<1> Williams F., 1979, Excavations on Marefair in Northampton 1977, p.43-48 (checked) (Article). SNN2163.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1985, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.391 (checked) (Series). SNN77383.

<3> WILLIAMS F., 1978, Marefair Northampton, 40-1 (Interim Note). SNN2199.

<4> Brown A.E. (Editor), 1978, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1977, p.187 (checked) (Journal). SNN2192.

Record last edited

Mar 17 2025 2:16PM