Monument record 1160/232/13 - Probable 12th century quarrying and 13th/14th century rubbish pits, Derngate

A watching brief during building development in the areas away from the street frontages, found extensive evidence for quarrying and rubbish pits. The quarry pits were earlier than the rubbish pits. Summary from record 1160/107/1: A watching brief away from the street frontages during construction identified extensive medieval quarrying.

{1}Extensive medieval quarrying south of Derngate & in Swan Street; SP75676035;,

{2}Subsequent observations during building operations immediately east of this area produced deposits which seem best interpreted as quarry fill.,

{3}Subsequent observations during building operations immediately east of this area again produced deposits of possible quarry fills;,

{4} The area south of the Derngate frontage had been extensively quarried for ironstone. Pottery from the quarry backfill suggests a 12th century date ceasing by the 13th century. In the 13th and 14th centuries various rubbish were dug, implying domestic occupation nearby.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1985, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.386/Site 39 (checked) (Series). SNN77383.

<2> SHAW M., 1981, South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter (11), 3 (Interim Note). SNN4269.

<3> Williams J.H.; Shaw M.; Hardy S., 1978-1984, Northampton Development Corporation SMR Secondary Record Sheets, M351 (checked) (Catalogue). SNN108.

<4> Shaw M., 1984, Excavations on a Medieval Site at Derngate, Northampton, p.72 (checked) (Report). SNN627.

Record last edited

Sep 29 2025 10:16AM