SNN109323 - Archaeological Observation, Investigation, Recording and Analysis at All Saints Church, Little Billing, Northampton July - September 2013

Archaeological observation, investigation, recording and analysis was undertaken by Northamptonshire Archaeology, now trading as MOLA, at All Saints Church, on the footprint of a proposed extension and along associated service trenches. The extension is adjacent to the north wall of the church, towards the western end. Multiple burials were encountered at varying depths, confirming the presence of unmarked burials in this area. Many of the burials relate to the late medieval and post medieval usage of the graveyard, but two burials had stones placed around the head, an early medieval burial practice that is likely to pre-date the Norman Conquest, perhaps broadly contemporary with the stone carved Anglo-Saxon font standing in the church today. Burials were also found along a service trench with some lying beyond the churchyard boundary in the garden of an adjacent house, indicating that the graveyard had contracted sometime prior to the late 19th century.