Monument record 1160/0/590 - Late Saxon pits, Horsemarket

Archaeological excavation was undertaken at St Mary's Court in 2022. A small assemblage of early-middle Saxon pottery was recovered. Two sherds of Ipswich ware are notable. The earliest archaeological features were a series of pits excavated in the late Saxon period. The pits contained pottery and animal bone suggesting that there was occupation close-by. One of the pits may have had a structural function. Two hearths were also identified.

{1} Archaeological excavation was undertaken at St Mary's Court and Berkeley House in 2022. There was a small early/middle Saxon pottery assemblage including two sherds of Ipswich ware. This ware is exceedingly rare in the Northampton, with only a single sherd found previously (at Chalk Lane). Outside the East Anglian kingdom it is usually indicative of a high status site and the relatively unabraded preservation suggests that the assemblage was not moved from where it was used. The earliest cut features dated to the late Saxon period and comprised a number of pits, two hearths and part of a possible ditch. Pottery and animal bone from the pit fills suggests occupation close by. One of the pits is reminiscent in form of a sunken-featured building similar to those identified at St Peters Street to the south, although no postholes were identified. The pits were generally cut into the underlying geology although the hearth was cut through a layer of orange-brown sandy clay, possibly a former subsoil.

<1> Elston, J, & Farey, S, 2024, Assessment report and updated project design for archaeological mitigation works at the site of St Mary's Court and Berkeley House, Horse Market, Northampton, January to October 2022 (Report). SNN116319.

Record last edited

Feb 11 2026 1:12PM