Monument record 6641/1/1 - Undated burials, possibly part of a cemetery, Windsor House

Undated human remains have been found close to Windsor House on several occasions. Several graves have been excavated, all aligned east to west.

{1} Human bone uncovered whilst digging footings for garage at Windsor House, Towcester. Evidence of previous building dated 1879 - overlay the bone. Ann Stirland brought in to provide salvage excavation, which identified 5 skeletons -3 adult males, 1 adult female and 1 child of approximately 2 years old. At least two of the individuals were aligned east-west. Condition of surviving teeth suggests burials are of at least medieval origin, but may be Roman. Roman burials have been recorded in close proximity.

{2} Small amount of undated human bone encountered in footings for new garage during September. The bone underlay a demolished later 19th century building. Site and bone examined by Ann Stirland.

{3} Small amount of undated human bone encountered in footings for new garage during September. The bone underlay a demolished later 19th century building.

{4} Human skeletons were found in November 1998 whilst undertaking construction work to the rear of Windsor House. The bones were reburied.

{5} Fragments of human skull and mandible found during the construction of a picket fence in front of Windsor House were reported in January 1994. A single sherd of Nene Valley Colour Coat ware was also noted. None of the finds appear to have been retained.

{7} Minimal ground reduction in the rear garden of Windsor House identified a single disarticulated fragment of human bone and a single sherd of Roman pottery in a disturbed stratigraphy.

<1> CADMAN G.E., 1994, SMR REPORT FORM, (unchecked) (Report). SNN50047.

<2> Pike, A (ed), 1994, South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter (24), p.27 (unchecked) (Newsletter). SNN40019.

<3> Cadman G, 1993-4, Towcester, p.190 (checked) (Note). SNN104232.

<4> 1999, Oral Report to SMR, (unchecked) (Oral Report). SNN106795.

<5> Woodfield, C., 1994, Report of Human Bone at Windsor House, Heath Terrace, Towcester (Letter). SNN110885.

<6> Cadman G, 1993, SMR Report: Windsor House, Towcester (Note). SNN111070.

<7> Summerfield-Hill, C., 2018, Archaeological observation and recording: Windsor House, Heath Terrace, Towcester (Report). SNN111398.

<8> Stirland, A., 1993, The human bone from Heath Terrace, Towcester (Report). SNN111515.

<9> Crank, N. (Editor), 2019, South Midlands Archaeology (49), p. 72 (Journal). SNN111755.

Record last edited

Apr 11 2023 8:59AM