Monument record 7246/8 - Possible site of iron smelting activity

Archaeological evaluation identified undated gullies with evidence of iron working.

{1} Archaeological evaluation identified a small number of archaeological features including a gully which contained slag. It is likely that the gullies identified were peripheral features associated with industrial activity, given the high concentration of ferrous and sand ironstone debris in their fills. As no definitive evidence for iron smelting in the form of kilns or furnaces was found it is possible that the valley was used as a runoff for any iron smelting works in the area.

{3} SP 9765 9784 Charcoal from this site was obtained from a 150 mm layer of slag beneath a 300 mm layer of black soil. This site consists of a 7 m area of black earth and slag on the edge of ridge and furrow close to Mill Wood and was dated to AD 465-480/AD 520-660.

<1> Simmonds, C., 2007, Archaeological evaluation at Fineshade Wood, February 2007, p.3 (checked) (Report). SNN106723.

<2> Chapman P. (Editor), 2008, Archaeology in Northamptonshire in 2007, p.300 (checked) (Article). SNN106430.

<3> Horne B. (Editor), 2008, South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter (38), 38/40 (checked) (Journal). SNN106282.

Record last edited

Oct 3 2023 12:54PM