Monument record 2580/0/4 - Possible Saxon sunken-featured building

{1} An area of linear and discrete anomalies represented … four possible pits.

{2} Part of a large sub-circular or sub-square pit was exposed. The pit was at least 5.8m in diameter and was 0.85-0.9m deep with steep edges and a broad, flat base. Within the fill was a large assemblage of Saxon pottery and animal bone as well as an iron spike and a rod fragment. At the base of the feature was a deep posthole which was 0.4m in diameter and at least 0.42m deep. Up to 50% of the fill in places was composed of charcoal and the nature of the fill suggested it too had been exposed to high temperatures. There were no finds within the posthole. The shape of the feature and the presence of the posthole at the base suggest that it could have had a structural use, although it is rather deeper than is usual for a rural sunken-featured building (SFB). It is possible that the structure had a cellar rather like the SFB’s found at Chalk Lane in Northampton, which had very similar dimensions. The posthole fill may suggest that the structure burnt down; the charcoal representing the remains of the post. There was, however, no other evidence of in situ burning within the rest of the feature.
To the north-west were two further postholes, of which only one was excavated. This was 0.5m in diameter and 0.53m deep, with vertical sides and a concave base. The fill contained moderate charcoal (including some large pieces) as well as further pottery, flint and bone. The unexcavated posthole lay 0.9m to the south-east.

<1> Butler A., 2009, Archaeological Geophysical Survey at Overstone Leys, Northamptonshire April 2009, p.7 (checked) (Report). SNN107975.

<2> Walker, C. & Jones, C., 2011, Archaeological evaluation on land at Overstone Leys, Overstone, Northamptonshire Phase 3, p.26 (checked) (Report). SNN107903.

<3> Horne B. (Editor), 2012, South Midlands Archaeology (42), 42/34 (checked) (Journal). SNN108346.

Record last edited

Aug 27 2014 12:06PM