Monument record 3738/0/54 - A Possible 18th century Leather Worker's Pit, near Broad Street

During the groundwork for a new car park at Earls Barton Primary School, a substantial pit was discovered. This pit possibly dates to the 18th century and may be associated with leather work or similar craft production. Near to this pit, are a series of 19th and 20th century drains.

{1} During groundwork for a new car park at Earls Barton Primary School, a substantial near-circular pit was discovered. This pit measured roughly 2.3m in diameter and 0.98m deep. Finds included 18th century pottery along with bottle glass. Within the pit were two post holes and a drainage ditch, which may suggest it was a working feature. The pit contained dark organic layers that emitted an unpleasant odour, strongly resonant of either a leather making byproduct, or some other craft-production process. There is no definitive evidence of leather production that was found. However, historical records indicate that the land may have been held by a fellmonger, which supports the interpretation of this pit being associated with leather working or similar craft work.
In close proximity to the pit are a series of late 19th and 20th century drains and modern live gas and water service runs. A base-metal school attendance reward token (c. 1868-1879) was recovered from a drainage ditch.

<1> Martin Wilson, 2025, Archaeological Investigation at Earls Barton Primary School, Northamptonshire (Report). SNN116895.

Record last edited

Oct 14 2026 9:06AM