Monument record 7031/1/1 - C13th Windmill Mound (Mound 3), Tansor

A circular mound originally thought to be a Bronze Age round barrow, but upon excavation was found to be medieval windmill mound. The mill was only in use for a number of decades, however, the disused mound appears to have survived as a substantial earthwork until the 19th century.

{1} Circular mound originally thought to be Bronze Age round barrow, upon excavation was found to be medieval windmill mound.The mound was dated by the associated pottery to circa 1225-1250 and was apparently in use for no more than a few decades. The cross-tree slots, which would have held the basal timbers for a post mill, lay at the centre of a clay mound encircled by a broad ditch; the absence of any in-situ timbers suggests that the windmill had been systematically dismantled.

{3} Medieval windmill mound. Broad ditch 1.0m deep enclosed an area 13.0-14.5m in diameter. May have been C shaped. The central area around the cross-tree slots had been dug out and this probably occurred when the windmill was systematically dismantled. The cross-tree slots were c6.4m long and up to 0.75m deep. One slot was slightly shallower and may denote that there was a small vertical offset between the base plates. A layer of clay filling a shallow shelf around the inner edge of the ditch may have formed a base for a track for the turning of the tail gate. Medieval pottery recovered from the ditch comprised early Lyveden/Stanion wares and shelly coarsewares. Provided a close date range of 1225-1250. Mill was only in use for a number of decades. However the disused mound appears to have survived as a substantial earthwork until the 19th century (evidenced by the fact that medieval furrows do not continue across the mound.,

<1> CHAPMAN A., 1995, SMR Report Form, (checked) (SMR Report Form). SNN49462.

<2> Chapman A, 1996-7, The Excavation of Neolithic and Medieval Mounds at Tansor Crossroads, Northamptonshire, 1995, p.33 (checked) (Article). SNN104069.

<3> Chapman A., 1998, The Excavation of Neolithic and Medieval Mounds at Tansor Crossroads, Northamptonshire, (part checked) (Report). SNN44087.

Record last edited

Feb 8 2024 11:49AM