SNN109423 - Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Wilby, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Watching Brief

Between July and October 2012, an archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology during groundworks associated with the construction of a small extension and drainage works at the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Wilby. The new extension is located on the site of the former medieval north aisle, which was demolished in 1839. Excavation revealed a demolition layer, redeposited soil and a robber trench associated with its removal and exposed the foundations of the current north wall of the church, which replaced the north arcade. Stone from the columns of the north arcade, including capitals and bases, had been reused to form the foundations of the new north wall of the church, so it is likely that much of the stone from the north aisle was re-used in its construction. However, the stone robbed from the foundations was probably used on later building works, possibly on the vestry that was originally built in 1873. The segments from the column shafts had a hexagonal cross-section and the architectural detail on the capitals dates the columns to the late 13th/early 14th century, broadly comparable, if not slightly earlier in date than the columns in the still extant south arcade. One of the shaft segments had a cross on its upper surface, inscribed by the mason to mark the centre-point of the stone block. Fragments of decorated medieval floor tile were recovered from the demolition layer and robber trench. Observation of groundworks during the construction of the pipe trench and septic tank revealed a thick, homogeneous churchyard soil overlying the clay substrate. Small fragments of human bone were retrieved from this deposit and a disarticulated human skull was found in the pit for the septic tank; the remains were reburied in the churchyard. The area to the north of the tower had been disturbed by the insertion of lightning conductor strips and electrical cables for floodlights.