Monument record 295/0/6 - Medieval boundaries, Church Street

An earthwork survey and trial trench excavation indicated that the earthworks that were thought to mark the presence of building platforms were actually boundary features. There were some medieval boundary ditches and later walls.

{4} Earthwork survey and trial trench excavation was undertaken in 1994. The scarp seen on the earthwork survey marked the remains of 2 limestone walls and layers of associated debris. The foundation course of a wall, 0.75m wide, lay directly beneath the topsoil and askew to all existing boundaries. The footings were constructed of limestone pieces averaging c.260mm by 260mm by 40mm with a possible quoin at the east. The western part had been partly robbed. A single course of stones formed a second wall parallel to the first wall and c.2m to the east. The removal of the superstructure had created a trench wehich was filled with debris and directly sealed by the topsoil. No construction cut was visible. No floors or occupation levels survived. Residual pottery of the late 13th to early 14th centruies was found, along with an iron whittle tang knife of unknown date.

In Trench one was a single ditch and in Trench 2 there were three ditches. Medieval pottery was found in the fill of all but one. A small medieval pit cut one of the ditches. These boundary ditches probably date from between the 12th and 15th centuries. The stone walls appear to be much later and at least one may have been constructed in the 19th or 20th century.

<1> CHAPMAN A., 1994, Church Street, Helmdon, Earthwork survey, 1994, (unchecked) (SMR Report Form). SNN49458.

<2> Holmes M., 1994, Church Street, Helmdon: Trial trench, (unchecked) (SMR Report Form). SNN49484.

<3> Kidd S., 1994, SMR report form, (unchecked) (SMR Report Form). SNN49431.

<4> Soden I.; Holmes M., 1994, Archaeological evaluation of land at Helmdon, Northants, April 1994, p.7 (unchecked) (Report). SNN70455.

Record last edited

Nov 18 2020 9:41AM