Monument record 130/0/117 - Medieval pits

A series of backplot pits dating from the 12th to the 14th centuries, many used for cess or rubbish diposal.

{1} In Trench 5, there were a number of pits. One was at least 3.6m wide and 1.2m deep; although the base was not reached. It contained a sequence of gleyed, waterlogged deposits, several of which had frequent olive green mottles, indicating its likely function as a cess pit. Two further pits also had cessy fills and produced pottery dating to the mid-13th century.

{2} Distributed across the southern and eastern parts of the site was a scatter of medieval pits, most of which appear to have been used for the disposal of cess/refuse, although they may have had some prior function. Environmental analysis of the fills found few of dietary indicators commonly found in cess deposits, although this may be as a result of poor preservation.

They were cut into the natural and sealed by subsoil. The pits dated from the 12th to the 14th centuries. The earlier pits (12th to 13th centuries) were concentrated on the lower slope to the south and east; the later pits occurred closer to the street frontage.

<1> Carlyle S., 2006, Archaeological Evaluation in College Place and Market House Courtyard, Brackley, Northamptonshire, p.6-7 (Report). SNN105592.

<2> Carlyle S., 2007, Excavation of Medieval and Later Features at College Place, Brackley, Northamptonshire, March 2007, p. 6-7 (Report). SNN105986.

Record last edited

Feb 4 2016 9:35AM