Find Spot record 3619/2/0 - Unstratified Late Saxon & Medieval Pottery

{1} Between 1966 and 1971 a series of archaeological excavations were carried out by the author in the village of Isham. Site evidence clearly showed that there had been almost continuous occupation of the area from Neolithic times to the present day. Of particular interest was the Saxo-Norman pottery form Manor House Farm to the south of the present village, and another group of the same pottery to the north. Both groups pin-pointed the position of Saxon manors form which the present village has grown.

{2} Building development, roadworks, and extensions to the village school, made necessary a series of rescue excavations in the village of Isham, Northants. A Saxon manor, followed by the medieval manor, all well documented, produced interesting groups of pottery. Later occupation of the derelict site was represented by a few seventeenth century pots and a small bake-oven. On the opposite edge of the village, a scatter of Saxon and Medieval pottery was taken from the fringe of a second manor, also well documented.
The Saxo-Norman pottery found supports the evidence for a well-established manor here in the C10th. An abundance of developed ST Neots Ware cooking pots suggests expansion over the next two centuries in-keeping with the national trend. Stamford Ware was also well-represented. The shelly wares gave way to much poorer quality limestone tempered or grogged wares from local kilns like Lyveden and Stanion.

<1> Fox J.R., 1975, History of Three Manors in Isham, Northants, (unchecked) (Unpublished Report). SNN43835.

<2> Fox J.R., 1976, Excavations at Isham, Northants: 1966-71, (p.1+7-11 part checked) (Unpublished Report). SNN58181.

Record last edited

Feb 25 2025 8:01PM