Monument record 1301/0/94 - Early-middle Saxon settlement, Burystead

Part of the wider Burystead excavation. An area of early-middle Saxon settlement, comprising lengths of gully and a scatter of pits and postholes within an area measuring 50m by 25m. A number of post-built structures may date to this phase. A sunken-featured building was probably in use during the earlier part of this phase.

{1} Excavation 1986-7 by M. Audouy. Burystead. Intensive middle Saxon occupation. Long, narrow ditches possibly represent boundaries of plots of land. Postholes indicate small timber buildings or fences wihtin the plots. Also limestone and clay quarrying.

{2} The excavation found a large assemblage of pottery that included some Ipswich ware and Maxey-type wares. However, the bulk of the assemblage was unstratified or occurred as residual material in later contexts.
The majority of the features, which included lengths of gully and a scatter of postholes and pits, lay within an area of 50m by 25m. Some included middle Saxon wares. In addition the oak plank lining of a waterhole has given a radiocarbon date centred on the mid-7th to late-8th centuries. Several post-built timber buildings may be assigned to this phase although dating was uncertain. A sunken-featured building was also found.

<1> AUDOUY M., 1988, SMR Report Form, (checked) (SMR Report Form). SNN50304.

<2> Audouy M.; Chapman A., 2009, Raunds, The Origin and Growth of A Midland Village, AD 450-1500 (Excavations in North Raunds 1997-87), p. 122-125 (Report). SNN106414.

<3> McKerracher, M, 2022, Radiocarbon dating archaeobotanical remains from North Raunds, p. 2 (Digital archive). SNN115663.

Record last edited

Jan 23 2024 2:07PM