Monument record 3097/3 - Area of probable Anglo-Saxon iron working

A group of features including ore roasting pits and a possible furnace/kiln, as well as several ditches which may date to the same period, were identified during trial trench evaluation. Subsequent excavation identified a total of 20 ore roasting pits and nine furnaces divided into three distinct industrial zones and set within a complex series of boundary ditches and trackways. The features have been radiocarbon dated to the early-middle Saxon period and evidence that at least some of the furnaces were tapping furnaces- comparatively rare for this period. Several boundary ditches appear to closely follow woodland boundaries which survived into the late 19th century.

{1} Two ore roasting pits were identified in adjacent trenches (12 and 13). They were shallow irregular, rectangular features within which it was clear that a heating or burning process had taken place, since the underlying natural had been scorched red. The fills were composed of burnt clay silt, interpreted as fuel debris and the features were provisionally interpreted as ore roasting pits/channel hearths. A sample from one was radiocarbon dated to AD 670-870.

A circular feature comprised a semi-circular deposit of dark grey-reddish brown charcoal and clay with a diameter of 0.97m. The charcoal was deposited into a 0.2m hollow in the natural strata and this feature may be the truncated remains of a circular kiln or furnace.

Several ditches may have been contemporary; although no dating evidence was found, the fill of one contained large amounts of slag. The high levels of slag found in this location suggests the likelihood of further nearby furnaces.

{2} Archaeological excavation of Area A at Wakerley Quarry. A small group of Roman pits was identified in the northern part of the excavation area. A group of 2nd century pottery was recovered from two intercutting pits. There were multiple cross-joining sherds between the fills and features suggesting that they had been backfilled in a single episode. The pottery suggests that there was domestic occupation close-by (but outside the area of excavation).
The most extensive phase of activity dated to the early-middle Saxon period and comprised a complex series of boundary ditches, some of which defined partially enclosed areas and interlinked tracks/paths. Significantly, several ditches followed the edges of woodland that still survived into the late 19th-century, indicating a fossilised landscape at least 1300 years old.
Three distinct zones of industrial activity were identified, each containing the truncated remains of ore roasting pits and furnaces, similar to evidence identified elesewhere within Wakerley Quarry. Limited iron ore extraction may have occurred within the site itself, evidenced by the remains of substantial pits. Twenty ore roasting pits were identified during this phase of excavation. Most of the roasting pits were closely associated with smelting furnaces (nine poorly-preserved examples identified during this phase). The furnaces and slag assemblage indicate that the Saxon iron-workers were employing a slag-tapping technology. Evidence for the use of tapping furnaces is comparatively rare for this period. No pottery was recovered from any of the features, although two C14 dates (one from the post-abandonment fill of a furnace and one from the post-abandonment fill of a roasting pit) provided dates for the early-middle Saxon period. Charred seeds indicate that one of the furnaces and one of the ore-roasting pits were likely used for cereal-drying activities at some point in their use.

<1> FELL D., 2006, Archaeological Evaluation: Land At Wakerley, Northamptonshire, 2006, p. 20-28 (Report). SNN105689.

<2> Mustchin, ARR, Francis, KD, & Richmond, A, 2022, Excavations at Wakerley Quarry, Area A, Northamptonshire (Report). SNN115127.

Record last edited

May 25 2023 9:28AM