Monument record 1160/283/10 - Area of late Saxon metal working and craft activities, Marefair

Rescue excavation undertaken in 1977 on the north side of Marefair [see related records for other phases]. Multiple phases of late Saxon activity were recorded during excavation. There was evidence for copper, iron and silver working, and possibly a weavers workshop and enamelling kiln, although scant evidence for any significant buildings.

{1} During the late Saxon period there were multiple phases of activity.

Phase 4- Burnt remains of possible sill beam revealed; number of charcoal concentrations could represent stakeholes; small pottery assemblage indicates possible late Saxon date; find of piece of carefully made polished triangular rock crystal with convex faces & tapering towards apex; appears to have been mounted decorative object; possibly from shrine or other liturgical object; alternatively may have been slung as pendant; illustration

Phase 5- Layer A223 was interpreted as a natural accumulation containing fragments of oak wood & late Saxon pottery; four fragments of glass from earlier Saxon period; piece from olive green glass vessel body dated to first half of Saxon period; three other sherds from yellowish-green vessel; also traces of copper & iron working but not clear whether residual from earlier phase too; evidence of antler working indicated by finds of two worked antler fragments; C9th coin fragment or possibly St Edmund Memorial penny found; possible Middle Saxon pierced sheep tibia;

Phase 6- Burnt surface in Area A may have been floor related to posthole alignment; more postholes in Area B; charcoal fragments of mature oak; pottery evidence indicates late Saxon date; also associated iron forging slag;

Phase 7/8- Extensive dark red clay loam layer (A222) which extended over Area B and the southern part of Area A. The unusual nature and extensive spread of this layer is to be noted. No structures were identified, but there was an indication of wheat & barley & oat & rye processing; possible seeds were carbonised during burning of agricultural land; traces of weeds associated with cultivated or disturbed land also found; St Edmund Memorial penny circa 905-915 found; intrusive find of top of copper alloy rumbler-type bell found dated to C13th or later;

Significant occurance of crucible fragment with traces of silver & fragment of non-ferrous slag associated with silver working; similar evidence from Chalk Lane excavation may point to location of Saxon mint in this area;two more late Saxon crucible fragments related to silver working were found in Phase 8 layer; Phase 10 also revealed fragments of crucibles related to silver working;,

There is also evidence of copper and iron working and a crucible fragment containing opaque red glass which might have been used in enamelling; further crucible fragment with traces of black glass in Phase 8; may be deliberately made glasses or of metallurgical origin; iron forging slag was also found in Phase 8 as well as fayalite slag possibly associated with both smelting and smithing;

Other crafts are attested by finds in Phase 8 of possible weaving tool & two possible antler comb teeth segments; also found was copper alloy handmade pin or needle fragment; possible worked bone roller or guide;

Phase 9- Patchy metalled surface of ironstone fragments overlying two deposits of sand which probably formed part of it; no pottery dating retrieved from layers; worked bone spindle whorl may have originated from this phase;

Phase 10- Occupation in this period comprisied a sequence of sand layers and a possible spread of hearth material. Stakeholes and postholes may indicate the presence of structures. A late Saxon bone comb connecting plate and fragments of copper and silver working crucibles were found. The pottery dated to the late Saxon/early medieval transition;

{2} Evidence of copperworking into late Saxon noted; no indication of associated settlement;,

{3}

<1> Williams F., 1979, Excavations on Marefair in Northampton 1977, p.44,46-48 (checked) (Article). SNN2163.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1985, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.391 (checked) (Series). SNN77383.

<3> Williams, J H, Shaw, M, & Chapman, A, 2021, Anglo-Saxon Northampton Revisited (Article). SNN112908.

Record last edited

Aug 30 2022 12:25PM