Monument record 2102/3/2 - All Saints churchyard

Archaeological investigation ahead of the construction of an extension identified two probable early medieval burials. A number of other burials dated to the medieval and post-medieval periods.

{1} Present boundary shown but may have changed over time

{2} Archaeological observation was undertaken on the footprint of a proposed extension and along associated service trenches. The extension is adjacent to the north wall of the church, towards the western end. Multiple burials were encountered at varying depths, confirming the presence of unmarked burials in this area. Many of the burials relate to the late medieval and post medieval usage of the graveyard, but two burials had stones placed around the head, an early medieval burial practice that is likely to pre-date the Norman Conquest, perhaps broadly contemporary with the stone carved Anglo-Saxon font standing in the church today. Burials were also found along a service trench with some lying beyond the churchyard boundary in the garden of an adjacent house, indicating that the graveyard had contracted sometime prior to the late 19th century.
Main area: as a result of the high density of the burials grave cuts could not be seen. The burials were recorded at four levels and at least 24 burials and large charnel deposits were identified. Many of the burials were heavily truncated and only partial individuals.
Service trenches: 9 burials were encountered. Most of the burials were adult individuals but there were two juveniles.
The charnel pits found indicates that at some point parts of the medieval churchyard were re-organised and cleared of burials to allow ocntinued use of the bruial ground.
Report contains detailed descriptions of each burial, plans and photos.

<1> 1978, Graveyard Survey - All Saints, Little Billing, (unchecked) (Report). SNN100980.

<2> Chinnock, C., 2014, Archaeological Observation, Investigation, Recording and Analysis at All Saints Church, Little Billing, Northampton July - September 2013, (checked) (Report). SNN109323.

<2> Chinnock, C., 2017, Late Saxon burials at All Saints Church, Little Billing, Northampton (Article). SNN111039.

Record last edited

Nov 1 2021 9:54AM