Monument record 3124/1/1 - Medieval causeway, west of London End

Archaeological excavation identified a medieval causeway aligned north to south.

{1} An archaeological excavation was undertaken in advance of the construction of a house. It identified the remains of a causeway and ditch which were constructed in the late 13th century over an area of marshy ground. In the 13th/14th century, the trackway underwent significant improvement with fragments of limestone and ironstone, some of which appear to have been laid. This was also laid over the ditch. A distinct kerb of limestone blocks survived intermittently along the western side. The centre of the causeway was no more than 1.75m wide. A length of c10m was revealed by the excavation. No evidence for wheel ruts was found. The latest pottery found between the pitched surface stones dates from the 14th/15th century.

Possibly constructed as a response to the climatic downturn of the 13th/14th century.

The causeway may be related to a major linear earthwork recorded on land to the north of Station Road, but now destroyed. A trackway, also aligned north to south was identified during trial trench excavation on land to the north of Station Road in 2014.

<1> Wilson, M, 2022, A medieval Causeway at 1A london End, Irchester, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Excavation Report, https://doi.org/10.5284/1113084 (Report). SNN113233.

<2> Crank, N. (Editor), 2022, South Midlands Archaeology (52), p. 72-4 (Journal). SNN115177.

Record last edited

Feb 25 2025 7:16PM