Monument record 1160/114/1 - Medieval quarry pits

Several areas of probable medieval quarriying noted during excavation on land east of St Giles Terrace

{1} Trial trenching to the north of St Giles Church in 1979. Deposits in both trenches appeared to be dumps; contained medieval pottery; evidence in keeping with large quarry at least 50 x 25m; vertical drop from churchyard boundary; presence confirmed by documentary evidence; presence of medieval quarry within town walls unexpected but not confined to this area. Medieval burials cut through the quarry backfill.

{2}Mentions quarry in Abington Street close to east gate;

{3}Quarry was still recorded in 1504 version of rental of Edward I;,

{4}"... towards the south opposite the quarry next to the cemetery of the said church..."

{6} Service trench 0.6m in width excavated along the boundary with St Giles' churchyard. Cut through disturbed soils for most of its length - would appear to relate to previous quarrying.

<1> Williams J.H., 1982, Four Small Excavations on Northampton's Medieval Defences, p72-3 (Article). SNN1859.

<2> 1300, RENTALS AND SURVEYS, PRO SC 12/13/38 (Document). SNN1860.

<3> 1504, RENTALS AND SURVEYS, (unchecked) (Document). SNN1861.

<4> 1200, DEED, (unchecked) (Document). SNN1862.

<5> Brown A.E. (ed.), 1980, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1979, p.172 (checked) (Article). SNN56490.

<6> Northamptonshire Archaeology, 1997, Archaeological watching brief: York Road, Northampton, 1997, (unchecked) (Report). SNN39907.

Record last edited

Feb 20 2025 1:05PM