Monument record 1160/0/152 - Medieval and post-medieval Quarry Pits

Archaeological investigation south of Derngate has identified an extensive area of quarrying.

{1} Two large pits were revealed in Trench D: 100+ sherds of medieval pottery were recovered from the fills. A large number of pits lay within Trench E: detail of fills and relationships with postholes were also revealed cutting into fills. Some pits were very large; medieval pottery recovered from their fills. Large pit at north end of Trench F cut an earlier pit: medieval pottery was recovered. Both pits were presumed to be quarry pits with final infilling in C15th. Trench G would appear to cut through a large pit possibly of medieval date but perhaps more likely post medieval and removing earlier deposits. Evidence of widespread quarrying activity in this area of the medieval town is not uncommon; ironstone quarried here could have been used in the construction of the town wall or for buildings within the town.

{2} Several medieval quarry pits were identified in areas of the site (Trenches II,III,V). Pottery from the backfill suggests that these pits were backfilled in the early medieval period.

{4} Trench 5 contained a large feature interpreted as a quarry pit, which extended beyond the limits of the trench. Its fill contained C12th-C13th pottery and some animal bone. Sealing the quarry was a levelling or hill-wash layer containing C16th-C17th pottery. A large C19th/C20th rubbish pit was identified in the south of Trench 4.

{5} Deep pit or pits of which only the uppermost 1m of fill was examined. It extended for at least 30m and matches the features previously found in 'Trench B'. Its nature suggests the organised disposal of refuse, whilst associated finds indicate a C20th date. It is uncertain whether the pit was used solely for rubbish disposal or if the material was used to backfill the top of an existing feature. A pond in known to have been located in Tower Close in the C16th.

Test Pits 7 and 10 revealed probable quarry infill. Eight sherds of medieval pottery from TP7 suggest that it may have been backfilled by the end of the C12th. No artefacts were found in TP10. Test pits 4 and 5 revealed fill to a depth of 1.2m, probably related to quarry pits. Two fragments of clay tobacco pipe show that the quarrying continued into the C17th. No other artefacts were found.

{6} Trench 1. quarry fill (2) of brown sandy loam with small ironstone pieces.

Trench 2. At the south end quarry fill (2) was located

Trench 3. Quarry fill (2) of large ironstone cobbles was located at the north end of the trench.
At the south end of the trench quarry fill(3), of reddish brown loam and ironstone fragments.

Trench 4. Quarry fill (2) of brown loamy sand and ironstone pieces, was located at the west end of the trench.
At the east end of the trench further quarry fill (3), identical to layer 2, was located cut into the ironstone bedrock.

Trench 5. Quarry fill of brown clayey loam with ironstone fragments was located at the south-west and eastern ends of the trench.

<1> Shaw, M.; Steadman, S. & Webster, M., 1992, Northampton High School for Girls, Derngate Archaeological Evaluation: Stage 2 - Fieldwork, p.8-13+24-25 (checked) (Report). SNN108734.

<2> Chapman A, 1996-7, Northampton, Albion Place, (unchecked) (Note). SNN104088.

<3> Hiller J.; Hardy A.; Blinkhorn P., 2003, Excavations at Derngate, Northampton 1997-2000, (unchecked) (Article). SNN103908.

<4> Hiller J. Hardy A. Blinkhorn P., 2001, Excavations at Derngate Northampton 1997-2000 Draft Publication Report, p.13 (checked) (Report). SNN103078.

<5> Parry S.; Shaw M., 1996, Former High School for Girls, Derngate, Northampton: Archaeological Recording Action, Stage 1, p.6 (checked) (Report). SNN62030.

<6> SHAW M., 1996, Archaeological evaluation at Albion Place, Northampton, October 1996, p.2-3 (Checked) (Report). SNN72803.

Record last edited

Mar 18 2022 9:49AM