Monument record 503/0/55 - Medieval/post-medieval 'backyard' activity, Newlands Road

Please read our .

Summary

Archaeological investigation identified the remains of medieval settlement originating in the 10th century comprising two plots which probably fronted onto West End to the north-west. The excavation area lay in the rear part of the plots. During the 12th century two buildings were constructed in the northern plot. Both were stone-founed but probably had cob superstructures. Activity in the southern plot was less defined but included internal divisions and a hearth. The settlement was abondoned in the 14th century. Backyard or garden activity recommenced in the post-medieval period

Map

Type and Period (4)

Full Description

{1} Trial trench excavation at Newlands Road found a series of ditches and gullies, smaller pit/post-hole features and part of a larger cut feature, possibly forming part of a pond or clay excavation pit in two trenches at the western edge of the site, located closest to the village. The dating material recovered from these features suggested at least some of them were likely to be post-medieval. However the majority were undated and it is suggested that some of these features may also be representative of earlier activity. One ditch did contain a single sherd of medieval pottery and a sherd of Anglo-Saxon pottery was also recovered residually from a later context. The majority of the linear features were orientated parallel or perpendicular to West End, suggesting they form back yard plots for properties fronting the road.

{2} Archaeological excavation undertaken in 2017 refined the interpretation of the earlier evaluation results. The earliest activity comprised the laying out of plots in the 10th century. There were two substantial boundary ditches, one aligned north-west to south-east and the other aligned north-east to south-west. One formed the boundary between two plots fronting onto West End. The other appeared to be the boundary between the village and the open fields to the east. The partial remains of two stone-founded buildings were identified in the northern plot; both were constructed in the 12th century and both may have had cob superstructures. One had a beaten earth floor and a central hearth suggesting it had a domestic function, while the other had a heavy-duty stone floor may have accomodated livestock. In the southern plot there was evidence for internal ditched divisions and an external hearth from which the greatest concentration of charred grain on site was recovered. Abandonment seems to have occurred n the 14th century.
In the post-medieval period features associated with probable backplot and/or gardening activities were identified. The most significant find from this period was a continental pottery import from northern France, possibly Saintonge ware which was recovered from the back fill of the dump located in northern plot of Area 1 , together with post-medieval and modern ceramics.


<1> Harvey, J., 2017, An archaeological evaluation at Newlands Road, Welford, Northamptonshire (Phase 2) (Report). SNN111034.

<2> Higgins, T., 2018, An Archaeological Excavation on land at Newlands Road, Welford, Northamptonshire (Phase 2) (Report). SNN111549.

<3> Crank, N. (Editor), 2019, South Midlands Archaeology (49), p. 93 (Journal). SNN111755.

Sources/Archives (3)

  • <1> Report: Harvey, J.. 2017. An archaeological evaluation at Newlands Road, Welford, Northamptonshire (Phase 2). University of Leicester Fieldwork Reports. 2017-049. University of Leicester.
  • <2>XY Report: Higgins, T.. 2018. An Archaeological Excavation on land at Newlands Road, Welford, Northamptonshire (Phase 2). ULAS Fieldwork Reports. 2018-081. ULAS. [Mapped feature: #79991 Ditches, pits and postholes, probably medieval/post-medieval, ]
  • <3> Journal: Crank, N. (Editor). 2019. South Midlands Archaeology (49). South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter. 49. C.B.A.. p. 93.

Finds (4)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (2)

Location

Grid reference Centred SP 6389 8004 (61m by 57m)
Civil Parish WELFORD, West Northamptonshire (formerly Daventry District)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Other Statuses/References

  • None recorded

Record last edited

Apr 23 2025 6:43PM

Comments and Feedback

Do you have any questions or more information about this record? Please feel free to comment below with your name and email address. All comments are submitted to the website maintainers for moderation, and we aim to respond/publish as soon as possible. Comments, questions and answers that may be helpful to other users will be retained and displayed along with the name you supply. The email address you supply will never be displayed or shared.