Monument record 5591 - Probable Saxon Settlement

A watching brief was carried out in 1988. Saxon features and pottery were recovered.

{1} Watching brief 1988 D Jackson, Saxon features and pottery recovered from Kings Sutton parish at SP499345.

{2} A scatter of features were revealed on the east side of the carriageway during soil clearance, including one ditch and one posthole. Some charcoal in features. Anglo-Saxon pottery as well as a few animal and burnt stones were revealed in a feature. Part excavated-some 2m wide and 40cm+ deep. It was thought this feature was either a quarry pit for stone or a longitudinal section along a wide ditch or a sunken feature building. In all, it is possible that a settlement site may lie to the east of the road corridor near this point.

{3} Seven sherds of Anglo-Saxon pottery were found with other occupation-debris in a feature on the east side of the roadway. The sherds derive from four vessels, comprising a cauldron and probably a small bowl and 2 jars. The pottery is typical of the "Anglian" traditions of the region and can be attributed to the 6th to early 7th century.

{4} M40 motorway extension 1988. Anglo-Saxon pottery and other occupation debris were found by a new drainage ditch on the east side of the carriageway. The pottery from the pit includes sherds from a cauldron and dates to the 6th or early 7th century. Several other features revealed nearby were undated.

{6} A possible sunken-featured building 2.5km south of Aynho [probably means Kings Sutton] was seen in section and pottery recovered.
Kings Sutton, SP499345; Anglo-Saxon pottery, animal bone and burnt stones were recorded in an indeterminate feature 2.0m wide x 0.4m deep, cut into limestone. Either a sunken-featured building, a quarry or possibly a curving ditch. Seen in section only. A ditch and several other undated, indeterminate features were possibly associated with a nearby prehistoric henge.

<1> Jackson, D., 1988, SMR Report Form, (checked) (SMR Report Form). SNN49677.

<2> JACKSON D.A., A Watching Brief on The M40 Motorway, (checked) (Interim Report). SNN43954.

<3> 1989, South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter, p.29 (unchecked) (Newsletter). SNN47279.

<4> Musgrave E.C.; Tingle M. (editors), 1991, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1990, p.112 (checked) (Article). SNN100325.

<5> Dix B., 1992, Recent Work in Northamptonshire Archaeology, p.121 (checked) (Article). SNN104441.

<6> CHAMBERS R.A., 1992, The Archaeology of The M40 Through Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire, 1988-91, p.49+51 (checked) (Article). SNN74151.

Record last edited

Jun 25 2021 3:15PM