Monument record 1160/0/394 - Medieval pit, possibly connected with malting

Stone-lined pit

{1}This area was dug to clarify the level of damage caused by the Barclaycard building to the archaeology. What archaeology was left comprised of a stone revetted apsidal pit of a sort previously seen at the Guildhall possibly connected with malting, a gully and two stake/post holes. Pottery recorded indicates that all were medieval in date and were cut into surviving red loam.

{3} A structure built mainly of ironstone blocks (with occasional limestone) many of which had been heavily burnt on one side prior to construction. On the norther side of the feature was a solid protrusion for a buttress or perhaps a chimney. It may have been a grain dryer or possibly a malting kiln, the stokehole originally being to the east. No evidence of in situ heating was present, so its function and original form are uncertain. The structure's fabric included a number of flat nibbed tiles in fairly good condition, as well as a fragment of ridge tile. The size and condition of the tile indicates they originated from the roof of the structure. A Potterspury ware base, bottle glass and a fragment of a stone mortar also came from the structure.

<1> Soden I., 1998, Archaeological Evaluation at Barclaycard, Marefair, Northampton - Stage 2: Trial Excavation, (unchecked) (Report). SNN39581.

<2> Chapman A, 1998-9, Northampton, Marefair, (unchecked) (Note). SNN104058.

<3> Museum of London Archaeology Service, 2005, Saxon, medieval and post-medieval settlement at Sol Central, Marefair, Northampton, p. 32 (Full Report). SNN105717.

<4> Steele A.; Wroe-Brown R., 2001, Sol Central Marefair, Northampton - An Archaeological Post-Excavation Assessment And Updated Project (Report). SNN101157.

Record last edited

Sep 1 2016 1:34PM