SNN101155 - Excavations At The Ridings, Northampton

Results of an archaeological excavation undertaken by AOC Archaeology during November and December 1999 on the site of proposed development off The Riding, Northampton. This was the second excavation on the site, following Northampton Development Corporation Archaeology Unit’s programme of excavation between September 1981 and December 1982. The primary objective of that work was to locate the medieval Gobion Manor, and to ascertain the existence or otherwise of pre-Conquest settlement. The 1999 excavation identified phases of activity, and securely dated deposits were recorded which can be equated with activities recorded during the previous work. The earliest recorded activity took the form of a large quarry, in which a large stone foundation of the 13th Century was found. This was sealed by layers of medieval made ground, into which a series of pits were dug. There was a large quantity of dumped ironstone rubble on site, some of which were demolition deposits, some just coarse components among layers of made ground. Two other structures were recorded dating to the 13th Century, one of which appears to have survived until the 16th Century. A horizon of burnt material was recorded dating to the 16th Century, which had burnt one of the 13th century structures. Little activity except the establishment of another boundary ditch occurred on site until the 18th Century, but layers of made ground indicate episodes such as the 1675 fire and the creation of the Riding Ground. A large pit was cut through the ditch in the late 18th Century and two stone drains were recorded of a similar date. Victorian activity on site was typified by the construction of a row of terraced houses. Following their demolition, basements were dug to the rear of the site, which were filled prior to any archaeological work on site.