Monument record 130/0/116 - Medieval ditch

A probable 12th century ditch, the alignment of which suggests that it was excavated prior to the creation of the planned town.

{1} A linear ditch, c2.3m wide, 0.39m deep. Primary fill comprised mid brown-grey sandy silt, the upper fill light to mid grey sandy silt with frequent olive-green mottles (possibly suggestive of cess). A single sherd of pottery dating to the 12th century was recovered from this fill.

{2} The alignment of the ditch, from north-east to south-west, does not correlate with later land divisions, suggesting a date prior to the laying out of the New Town. A deposit along the northern edge of the ditch may be the remains of an earthen bank. It is possible that a feature, interpreted as a pit, to the north-east was the ditch terminal.

<1> Carlyle S., 2006, Archaeological Evaluation in College Place and Market House Courtyard, Brackley, Northamptonshire, p. 6 (Report). SNN105592.

<2> Carlyle S., 2007, Excavation of Medieval and Later Features at College Place, Brackley, Northamptonshire, March 2007, p. 6 (Report). SNN105986.

Record last edited

Aug 22 2023 1:51PM