Monument record 2806/0/34 - Site of possible medieval settlement and/or ironworking, Benefield Road

Archaeological evaluation and subsequent excavation prior to residential development identified a number of large pits which had been backfilled with soil rich in metalworking slag in the western part of the site. A number of small pits, post holes and ditches were found in the eastern third of the site. These features contained medieval pottery, mainly dating between 950-1400 and very little of the locally made 16th-17th century Glapthorn pottery was found suggesting the activity largely pre-dated its production.

{1} Four trial trenches excavated in 2018 identified a number of large pits and ditches, as well as a few smaller pits/postholes. Much of the activity was concentrated towards the Glapthorn Road frontage and most of the pottery dated between the 11th/12th and 14th centuries, with smaller quantities of later pottery, possibly as late as the 17th century. A large quantity of iron tap slag was found in the fills of five features, with over 11kg from one pit. The base of this pit had the remains of a beaten/trampled clay floor, suggesting it may have been a possible structure. No evidence of ironworking was, however, found in site.
There was little 'Glapthorn Ware' pottery found on site, suggesting the activity here predated this local industry of the 15th-16th centuries. If the pits were related to clay extraction it may have been for an earlier pottery/tile industry outside the village.

{2} Archaeological excavation of the ste was undertaken in early 2019 prior to the construction of two houses. In the western two thirds of the site were a number of large, irregular and shallow pits probably resulting from limetone extraction. The backfills were rich in slag and contained medieval pottery, animal bone as well as a brooch dating to the 14th/15th centuries.
In the eastern third of the site, closer to the village, were a series of ditches, post holes and smaller pits, all of which were probably related to settlement activities. Pottery dated to the Saxo Norman period to 12th/13th centuries. Slag and animal bone was also recovered. Although there were only a relatively small number of faunal remains a high number of pathological specimens may indicate poorly kept livestock.

<1> Brown, C., 2018, An archaeological evaluation on land off Benefield Road, Glapthorn, Northamptonshire (Report). SNN111510.

<2> Brown, C, 2019, An archaeological excavation on land east of allotments, Benefield Road, Glapthorn (Report). SNN112025.

<3> Crank, N. (Editor), 2020, South Midlands Archaeology (50), p. 95 (Journal). SNN112426.

Record last edited

Feb 25 2025 8:11PM