SNN108451 - Archaeological Evaluation of the Concourse at Northampton Castle Station, October 2012

Northamptonshire Archaeology conducted an archaeological trial trench evaluation of the concourse at Northampton Castle Station, which lies within the outer bailey of the former Northampton Castle. Trial trenching has demonstrated that across at least part of this area pre-19th century ground levels have not been substantially reduced. Late Saxon deposits survive at a depth of 1.05-1.30m below modern ground level. Above this there are features dating to the 12th century, which belong to the early history of the castle. A length of ironstone wall, 0.6m wide, may be part of a building set immediately inside the outer bailey bank, while a length of linear slot may be part of a contemporary timber building. Domestic activity in this area is denoted by the presence of pottery and an animal bone assemblage including cattle, sheep and pig, some displaying butchery marks, along with dog and domestic fowl. The absence of any later features or pottery indicates that activity in this area through the 13th to 15th centuries had caused no significant below ground disturbance, and the overlying soil horizons may derive from the later medieval and the post-medieval periods: the outer bailey was an orchard prior to the building of the railway station. The top of the 12th-century stone wall lies 0.7m below modern ground level but only 0.35m below the base of the concrete foundation for the granite setts of the old station yard.