Monument record 1624/0/64 - Medieval settlement, Church Street
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Summary
Archaeological investigation identified a probable Roman and/or Saxon enclosure ditch and medieval occupation dating from the 12th century and comprising an enclosure and a number of pits and postholes.
Map
Type and Period (7)
- DITCH (Medieval - 1066 AD? to 1539 AD?)
- PIT (Early Medieval - 1100 AD to 1199 AD)
- GULLY (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
- PIT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1749 AD)
- BOUNDARY DITCH? (Medieval - 1066 AD? to 1539 AD?)
- RECTANGULAR ENCLOSURE (Early Roman to Early Middle Saxon - 43 AD? to 850 AD?)
- IRON WORKING SITE (Early Medieval - 1100 AD to 1199 AD)
Full Description
{1} Archaeological evaluation comprising six trenches was undertaken after the demolition of a former shoe factory on Church Street. Archaeological features were identified in four of the trenches and included a ditch aligned NE-SW, probably a boundary ditch considering its size, and two gullies that may have had a function associated with drainage or agriculture. A number of small pits were also identified. Finds included burnt clay, animal bone and pottery dating to the 12th-13th centuries. Three post medieval pits were seen. They were not excavated but appeared to be filled with demolition debris.
{3} Archaeological excavation was undertaken in 2017. The earliest feature was the corner of a ditched rectangular enclosure that was significantly truncated by modern disturbance. Two sherds of Romano-British pottery, a piece of probable Romano-British tile and a single sherd of early/middle Anglo-Saxon pottery were recovered, suggesting that the ditch dates to the 5th-9th centuries if the Saxon sherd was not intrusive. If Roman, the enclosure may be associated with settlement identified to the east at Lime Street. A sherd of late Neolithic/early Bronze Age Beaker pottery was also recovered from the ditch. Slight evidence for late Saxon activity comprised a shallow gully contained a single sherd of St Neots ware. The main focus of activity on site is during the 12th century comprising part of a possible rectangular enclosure, along with a number of pits and undated postholes. All the medieval features were located towards the west of the site adjacent to Church Street and immediately opposite St Peter's Church. Evidence from the pits suggests that occupation was predominantly domestic, although there was also some evidence of metalworking since part of a smithing hearth and large lumps of slag were found in one of the pits.
<1> Edwards, C., 2011, Church Street, Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire: An Archaeological Evaluation Report (Report). SNN108330.
<2> Chapman P. (Ed.), 2012, Archaeology in Northamptonshire, 2010, 37/203 (checked) (Article). SNN108374.
<3> Teague, S, 2017, Land at Church Street, Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Excavation Report (Report). SNN114390.
Sources/Archives (3)
- <1> SNN108330 Report: Edwards, C.. 2011. Church Street, Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire: An Archaeological Evaluation Report. AOC Archaeology fieldwork reports. 30807. AOC Archaeology.
- <2> SNN108374 Article: Chapman P. (Ed.). 2012. Archaeology in Northamptonshire, 2010. Northamptonshire Archaeology. 37. Northants Archaeology Soc. 37/203 (checked).
- <3> SNN114390 Report: Teague, S. 2017. Land at Church Street, Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Excavation Report. oxford Archaeology South Fieldwork Reports.
Finds (16)
- JAR (Early Medieval to Medieval - 1100 AD to 1300 AD) Quantity: Part of
- ANIMAL REMAINS (Early Medieval to Medieval - 1100 AD to 1300 AD) Quantity: Some
- BOWL (Early Medieval to Medieval - 1100 AD to 1300 AD) Quantity: Part of
- SHERD (Early Medieval to Medieval - 1100 AD to 1300 AD) Quantity: Small quantity
- WORKED OBJECT (Early Medieval to Medieval - 1100 AD to 1300 AD) Quantity: Some
- JAR (Early Medieval to Medieval - 1100 AD to 1300 AD) Quantity: 6-10
- HINGE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1749 AD) Quantity: Some
- BRACKET (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1749 AD) Quantity: Some
- WORKED OBJECT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1749 AD) Quantity: Some
- SLAG (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1749 AD) Quantity: 1
- BEAKER (Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age - 2500 BC to 1800 BC) Quantity: Part of
- SHERD (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD) Quantity: Small quantity
- SHERD (Saxon - 410 AD to 1065 AD) Quantity: Small quantity
- TEGULA (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD) Quantity: Part of
- WHETSTONE (Early Medieval - 1100 AD to 1199 AD) Quantity: Part of
- SLAG (Early Medieval - 1100 AD to 1199 AD) Quantity: Some
Related Monuments/Buildings (2)
Related Events/Activities (0)
Location
Grid reference | Centred SP 9480 7070 (100m by 90m) |
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Civil Parish | IRTHLINGBOROUGH, North Northamptonshire (formerly East Northants District) |
Protected Status/Designation
Other Statuses/References
- None recorded
Record last edited
Nov 25 2022 10:00AM