Monument record 95/0/4 - Medieval Iron Smelting Site, south of Easton Lodge

A patch of slag discovered during fieldwalking survey was excavated in 1964 and 1967. The excavation demonstrated that the first activity had been the roasting of iron ore. Dumped on top were various heaps of charcoal and tapped slag, none of it in situ. Pieces of fired clay from small furnaces were also found, but no evidence of in situ furnaces. A sample of charcoal was dated to the mid 13th century.

{1} Industrial sites (SP 895563, 895575 and 895564), in the SE of the parish, on Boulder Clay. All consist of areas of either chacoal or iron slag very similar to those known from Iron Age and Roman sites. Recent work, however, suggests that they may be medieval.

{3} In an attempt to understand the nature and working of the smelting sites identified during the fieldwalking survey, one of the best examples was excavated at Easton Maudit in 1964 and again in 1967. The excavation demonstrated that the earliest activity was the roasting of iron ore. Dumped on top of the oxide fines which resulting from the ore roasting were layers of charcoal fines and tapped slag. None of the slag was in situ because none of the subsoil was burnt. Most of the refuse heaps included pieces of burnt clay which represented the fabric from small furnaces. Charcoal was derived from Oak, Hazel, Willow, Sweet Chestnut and Elm. A sample of charcoal gave a radiocarbon date of 1240 AD ± 100.

{6} Mr Hall confirms the area and retains the finds. Under pasture; no surface finds made.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p. 44 site 8 (unchecked) (Series). SNN77380.

<2> Hall D.N., 1966, Sites on the North Bedfordshire and South Northamptonshire border, p.3/ Site E3 (Article). SNN37934.

<3> Hall, D N, 1983, The excavation of an iron-smelting site at Easton Maudit, Northamptonshire, p. 91-95 (Article). SNN112838.

<4> Shotton, F W, Williams, R E G, and Johnson, A S, 1975, Birmingham University Radiocarbon Dates IX, p. 269 (Article). SNN113166.

<5> Council for British Archaeology, 1976, South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter (34), p. 28 (Newsletter). SNN104928.

<6> Baird, J., 1970, Field investigators comments, F1 JB 8-SEP-70 (Notes). SNN110341.

Record last edited

Feb 13 2024 1:57PM