Monument record 3884/91/1 - Medieval and possible prehistoric settlement, rear of 30 High Street

Medieval pits and ditches found during trial trench evaluation and excavation. An earlier phase of activity, comprising ditches and pits, though undated, may relate to a prehistoric phase of activity.

{2} Archaeological trial trenching was undertaken in 2017. Trench 1 at the west end of the
development footprint revealed a number of undated features, as well as a post-medieval pit and
a posthole containing a sherd of Anglo-Saxon pottery, all at shallow depth. Trench 2 in the eastern
half of the site showed the geological horizon banking sharply downwards to the east, with a
severely heat-affected wall, possibly burnt during the fire of 1738, at the top of the slope. Landscaping in the 18th century had seen raising of the ground level at the eastern side of the site, which had then been truncated by a number of 18th–20th century pits.

Subsequent excavation, also in 2017, revealed further undated features including substantial ditches aligned north-east to south-west. The leached appearance of the ditch and pit fills suggests that they are of a significantly earlier date, possibly prehistoric. During the 12th and 13th centuries there was limited evidence of nearby settlement including drainage gullies, a ditch and a pit containing evidence of crop processing and weeds associated with waste ground, roadsides and cultivated fields. Surprisingly for a centrally located site, there was little further activity until the 18th century when the western part of the site was landscaped and a number of refuse pits were dug.

<1> 2017, Archaeological evaluation report: Trial trenching on land at 30 High Street, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire (Report). SNN112112.

<2> Tooze, C, and Allen, M, 2017, Archaeological Strip, Map and Record Report: Land at 30 High Street, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire (Report). SNN112111.

Record last edited

Feb 20 2025 4:07PM