Monument record 1160/0/48 - Saxon mortar mixers, St Peter's Street

In 1974 three mortar mixers were found at the north-west of the St Peter's Street excavations.

{1}No associated features identified; sand deposits & lime slurries cover whole area which probably represent spillage from mixing; C14 dates suggest beginning of C8th; tapping slag & fragments of furnace bottom also recovered; detailed discussion;

{2} Each of the three mortar mixers comprised a basin 2-3m in diameter cut into the natural ironstone and lined with wattle work; a central post supported a beam from which a number of paddles were suspended. The beam was rotated by pushing around the central post.

<1> Williams J.H., 1979, St Peter's Street, Northampton: Excavations 1973-1976, p.72, 84+118-133 (checked) (Report). SNN342.

<2> Williams J.H.; Shaw M.; Denham V., 1985, Middle Saxon Palaces at Northampton, p. 21 (Report). SNN420.

<3> Chapman, A, 2021, Appendix 2: The Radiocarbon Dates, p. 67 (Appendix). SNN112910.

<4> Williams, J H, 2021, Appendix 3: Mortar Mixers, p.69-77 (Appendix). SNN112911.

Record last edited

Feb 28 2022 4:00PM