Monument record 5195/0/1 - Prehistoric features and finds, west of Chalk Lane

In 1975 an area was excavated to the west of Chalk Lane in the area of the inner bailey bank of the medieval castle. A number of poorly defined prehistoric structures, pits, post-holes and ditches were located, although some of the features were probably geological in origin. Over 3,000 flints were recovered, mostly Mesolithic and later Neolithic/early Bronze Age. Prehistoric pottery was also found. Excavation by Alexander to the north produced a lesser quantity of flint.

{1} Excavation undertaken in 1975-8 within the area of the inner bailey of the medieval castle; prehistoric structures, pits, postholes, ditches as well as over 3,000 flints were recovered from excavation, the two principal constituent groups being mesolithic and later neolithic/early Bronze Age. Approximately 40 sherds of abraded prehistoric pottery were found including later neolithic or Beaker, Beaker and Iron Age sherds. Excavations by J.Alexander between 1961 and 1964 immediately to the north produced a lesser quantitiy of flints. SP74926050.

{2} The prehistoric features can be divided into eight groups: gullies, stakeholes, postholes, pits, trenches, a ditch, a hollow and miscellaneous features. Close-set rectilinear pattern of gullies in north half of site. There was no indication of structural function. The network of gullies was provisionally interpreted as an eaves-drip gully with associated drainage gullies, but subsquent excavation suggests that at least had geological origins. The polygonal shapes similar in form to the periglacial frost wedges observed elsewhere along the Nene Valley. However, out of the total of over 3000 worked flints found on the site, 90 were found well stratified within gullies so not conclusive; one gully also appeared to cut probable Mesolithic pit.

A total of five stakeholes may have been part of a structure within a hollow. 33 postholes were identified- no post-built structures identified, but two alignments noted. Two trenches at right angle to each other contained three postholes, suggest a structure in this area. Ditch was possibly an enclosure ditch.
The flint suggests two phases of occupation- Mesolithic and later Neolithic/early Bronze Age, while the pottery, where identifiable, is of later Neolithic/Beaker or Iron Age type. None of the features gave any clue to their date.

{3}Pits & gullies included two pennanular ones presumably enclosing Bronze Age houses.

{8} 1960's excavations produced some flints and most are now missing. 25 flints were found in the subsoil beneath the Castle Hill mound. Some were of Mesolithic types. Most of the flint from the Castle excavations was of a residual nature.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1985, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.323/Site 1a (checked) (Series). SNN77383.

<2> Williams J.H., 1981, Excavations in Chalk Lane, Northampton, p.90-94 (checked) (Article). SNN2964.

<3> Brown A.E. (ed.), 1980, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1979, p.107 (checked) (Article). SNN56490.

<4> Chapman A., Northampton Castle: A Review of The Evidence, p.20 (checked) (Unpublished Report). SNN2966.

<5> Chapman, A, 2021, Prehistoric Northampton: A circular ring ditch and flint scatters, p. 17-24 (Article). SNN112907.

Record last edited

Mar 20 2025 12:43PM