Monument record 234/0/3 - Possible Late Saxon/Early Medieval ditches and possible well

A circular stone structure was excavated here in 1973 and a year later two ditches were located during road construction and contained late Saxon-early medieval pottery sherds. The structure was therefore interpeted as a possilbe kiln but more recent discussion has suggested that it is more likely to be a well.

{1} Structure 3.5ft internal diameter and 8ft external diameter. At least 6ft deep. Animal bone was found within its walling. There was evidence of internal burning. Sketch plan.

{2} SP 53903986 Two ditches found 1974 by D J Barrett during road construction, contained fragments of bone, charcoal and Late Saxon/Early Medieval sherds. Mr R Ivens reports that a Mr King excavated a circular stone structure here in November 1973. The structure was 3 1/2ft diameter internally, 8ft externally and at least 6ft deep. The walling contained quantities of bone, mainly pig, and the structure was burned inside.

{3} Description given.

{4} Occupation Site (SP 53903986), lies 300 m. E. of Farthinghoe church, on limestone at 152 m. above OD. Excavations in 1973 revealed a circular stone structure about 2 m. in diam. and at least 1.5 m. deep. It was burned inside and large quantities of bones, mainly pig, were found. It is likely to have been a well-head. Road works in the following year exposed two ditches in the same area. These contained early medieval pottery, possibly of late Saxon date, as well as fragments of bone and charcoal

{5} Excavations directed by King revealed remains of what was thought to be a medieval pottery kiln or well. R.Ivens thinks this site is likely to be a well rather than a kiln.

{6} (SP 53793987) The site is on a bend in the new road and there are no visible remains. Northampton Museum have a description of the site and a sketch plan by Mr Ivens, and the finds are also in their possession. Mr Ivens thinks the circular structure was a well rather than a kiln. No surface markings on OS APs {7}.

<1> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP53NW22 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<2> Brown A.E. (Editor), 1975, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1974, 10/166 (checked) (Report). SNN41605.

<3> Northampton Museum Records, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN126.

<4> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.56 site 15 (checked) (Series). SNN77382.

<5> 1998, NATIONAL DATABASE OF MEDIEVAL POTTERY PRODUCTION CENTRES, (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN43168.

<6> Allanson, C D, 1976, Field Investigator's Comments, F1 CDA 29-OCT-76 (Notes). SNN112955.

<7> Aerial Photograph, OS (75/311/423-4) (Photographs). SNN112974.

Record last edited

Oct 18 2022 12:35PM