SNN104750 - Archaeological Excavation of Land to The Rear of Chapel Road, Weldon, Northamptonshire

An archaeological excavation was undertaken on land at Chapel Road, Weldon in order to preserve by record archaeological remains of occupation, iron smelting and structures revealed during previous investigations of the development site. The first intrusive activity of the development area was during the 9th-10th century when a furnace and other connected features associated with iron smelting were constructed in the northeast corner of the site. The furnace was dated by archaeomagnetic analysis to 840-980AD. A hiatus of activity occurred on the site after the 10th century. In the later 12th-13th century a stone building with an associated oven was constructed, truncating Late Saxon features. The pottery assemblage indicated an industrial use for the building with possible limited domestic utilisation. A downturn and later recovery is recorded at the site with a hiatus until the later 15th century. A corn-drier and associated drain was inserted into the eastern half of the building during the mid to later 15th century and again reflects an industrial use of the site. A possible commercial use has been suggested for the drier due to its size although this is uncertain. The use of the site as a dairy farm during the 18th century has been suggested due to the large number of pancheon fragments and butterpots from a large pit.