SNN105642 - An Archaeological Watching Brief at St John's Hospital Chapel, Northampton, 2005

An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Northamptonshire Archaeology during the refurbishment of St John’s Hospital Chapel, Northampton. Floors dated to the 18th and 19th centuries were removed to insert under-floor heating and new flooring. During the course of the watching brief post-medieval makeup layers were excavated and an undated occupation/floor layer was exposed. Medieval (probably 13th century) pottery sherds were found beneath this surface, which was cut by the south wall of the building. Outside the building service trenches exposed a major east to west aligned medieval wall which was extremely shallowly buried and extended the long axis of the chapel eastward; it was encroached upon by human burials of the post-medieval period further east. The work facilitated a re-appraisal of understanding of this important medieval monastic building and enabled aspects of its known history to be updated.