Monument record 727/10/9 - Large Post Medieval Pit (Possibly Civil War)

{1} Beneath the made-up ground c.2m from the road frontage, there was a large oval pit, 3.5m long x 3.0m wide x 2.7m deep, its sides sloping steeply down to a concave base. Its fill contained a grey-brown silty clay with limestone fragments and sub-rounded stones, with occasional charcoal flecks.
Three wooden stakes were seen to be set into the base of the pit. Samples of these were taken, along with bone fragments, tile and a single unidentified sherd of post medieval pottery. It was clear that two of the stakes had stood upright within the pit. AS well as the stakes, a length of flat timber was also recovered.
There was little dating evidence, but the pot sherd and probable post medieval roof tile suggest a C17th date, or later.
The pit, which was set with stakes, could have been part of the defences put in place during the Civil War, in this case specifically as an anti-cavalry measure. However, in the absence of good dating and other corroborating features or material, such an interpretation must remain conjectural.

<1> Carlyle S.; McAree D.; Leigh D., 2003, Archaeological Evaluation & Watching Brief on Land Off Islington Road, Towcester, Northamptonshire, p.7+10 (checked) (Report). SNN102437.

Record last edited

Feb 23 2015 6:56PM