Monument record 2600/0/74 - Site of late Saxon to post-medieval activity, Stamford Lane

Evidence of 'back-plot' activity comprising a scatter of late Saxon and medieval cess or rubbish pits, medieval oven and post alignments and post-medieval plot boundaries were identified during archaeological investigation

{1} A total of six trial trenches were opened, revealing a low density of archaeological features
and deposits dating to the medieval, post-medieval and modern periods. The exposed remains included pits, ditches, a stone surface, and recent animal burials. Overall, the results of the trenching were thought to indicate limited medieval occupation on the site, with most remains relating to the 18th - 19th century, and of low significance overall.

{2} Archaeological excavation identified a relatively low density of remains mainly comprising pits. Much of the pottery found on site was not closely dateable. Features dating to the Late Saxon and medieval periods are suggestive of domestic occupation nearby. The earliest pit contained a sherd of 8th-9th century pottery. A ditch aligned north-east to south-west may have been a property boundary and contained Saxo-Norman pottery. To the south of the ditch was a contemporary pit alignment, possibly dug along the boundary edge; it was 12m long. Further pits to the north of the ditch appeared to have been dug and filled in over a longer period of time, from the Saxo-Norman period until the later medieval period. The balance of evidence would seem to indicate that these features functioned principally as cess pits rather than the primary deposition of refuse. A possible four-post structure was interpreted as a possible pen.

Activity in the later medieval period comprised two posthole alignments set 3m apart sharing the same alignment as earlier features. An oval feature with burnt stone settings may have been some form of corn drying oven since environmental processing revealed an extremely high density of plant macrofossils including cereal processing waste and a high number of grains (particularly those of wheat).

Relatively little evidence was found dating from the post-medieval period, and after, and there is no evidence of a resumption of domestic occupation. Stone walls (on the same alignment as the earlier boundary features) and amorphous quarry pits were identified. A undated cobbled surface may the remains of a yard depicted on an early 17th century map.

<1> Wood M., 2011, Stamford Lane, Warmington: Archaeological Trial Trench Evaluation (Report). SNN108039.

<2> Casswell C.; Daniel P., 2013, Stamford Lane, Warmington, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Investigations, 2013 (Report). SNN109837.

Record last edited

Apr 23 2025 6:45PM