Monument record 830/0/78 - Medieval settlement, south of St Michaels Church

Archaeological investigation ahead of an extension to the cemetery identified features dating from the mid-late 11th century to the early to mid 13th century. A possible prehistoric ditch was also identified.

{1} Trial trench excavation was undertaken as part of a planning proposal to extent the cemetery. A number of ditches, gullies a pit and a posthole dating to the 12th century AD were identified. The ditches may have formed boundary ditches separating different properties or areas of occupation. Alternatively, they may have functioned as ditched trackways. It is suggested that the pit was a backyard rubbish pit.

A modern pit was also found. Later activity on the site was also represented by general post medieval pottery, brick and concrete in the subsoil.

{2} Archaeological excavation exposed the features identified during the preceding evaluation phase. There was a possible prehistoric gully from which a single worked flint was found. Medieval activity was characterised by numerous gullies, ditches and pits all likely to be of 12th-early 13th century in date. There was a possible north-south plot boundary from which significant amounts of burnt clay was recovered interpreted as the remains of a burnt cob wall which had been tipped into the ditch. A number of pits were identified, although only one appeared to be a rubbish pit containing significant quantities of pottery, animal bone, fired clay and stone. A further large pit contained the burial of a horse and foal.

The features point to an early focus of settlement to the south of the church. The abandonment of this part of the village during a period of national growth, both in population and economically, may have been due to destruction/damage during the Civil War of 1215-17 as suggested by documentary evidence from this period.

<1> Jeffery E., 2014, Land at Millennium Green, Bugbrooke, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Evaluation, p.4-7 (checked) (Report). SNN109840.

<2> Rann, C, 2016, In Search of Medieval Bugbrooke: Archaeological Excavations at Millenium Green, Bugbrooke, Northamptonshire (Report). SNN112692.

Record last edited

Jun 5 2023 8:57AM