Monument record 2659/0/5 - Medieval Limestone Quarry

{1} Trial trenching in July 1990 by G.Cadman revealed a medieval quarry adjacent the street frontage. The quarry contained pottery, charcoal, ash and slag, possibly indicating a nearby furnace.

{2}{3} A substantial limestone quarry was found along part of the Church Lane footage. The quarry infill included medieval pottery, charcoal, ash and metal slag attesting to the nearby presence of iron-working.

{4} The steep south east edge of a substantial limestone quarry was located c.13m from the modern street frontage. This continued to the south eastwards for at least 7m although its extent towards the frontage and towards the north west was not determined. The unbottomed quarry was at least 1.6m in depth. The infill comprised quantities of what appeared to be quarrying waste and black charcoal ash.
Several sherds of medieval pottery were recovered from within the quarry infill but the presence of a single rim sherd of Potterspury ware from the base of the exposed infill indicates that the quarry infilling dates to the later medieval period at the earliest. The earlier material might result from destruction of features by the quarry, or have been imported.

<1> Cadman, G.E., 1990, SMR Report Form, (checked) (SMR Report Form). SNN50246.

<2> Pike A. (Editor), 1991, South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter (21), 21/73 (unchecked) (Newsletter). SNN2091.

<3> Dix B., 1992, Recent Work in Northamptonshire Archaeology, 24/125 (checked) (Article). SNN104441.

<4> Cadman G.E., 1990, Weldon, Church Street: Report on Archaeological Evaluation (Aug 1990), (checked) (Report). SNN109399.

Record last edited

Mar 4 2014 12:21PM