SNN100528 - Evaluation Of the Archaeological Potential Of The Former Express Lift Company Abbey Works Site, Weedon Road, Northampton

A total of eight evaluation trenches were excavated in December 1999 to determine the presence and nature of archaeological deposits on the site. This work has indicated that substantial remains of the medieval church and associated buildings of the former St. James’ Abbey occupies much of the frontage of the site. The top of these deposits lie between 250 and 600mm below modern ground level, while the robber trenches of the main walls go down to as much as 1700mm below modern ground level. The building remains cover as area including the bowling green, the visitors’ car park, the office accommodation and the access road between the offices and the main works building. It is possible that medieval building remains may extend under the main works. It is known that an abbey cemetery lies under the main works, where burials and a medieval grave slab were uncovered in 1970. In addition, it has been shown that the abbey remains overlie a soil horizon containing Roman pottery and sealing features dated to the Roman period. Trenches excavated on the sports ground located 1.5m or more of building rubble and redeposited clays, showing that this area lies on recently built-up ground. Any earlier remains in this area would be deeply buried.