SNN109837 - Stamford Lane, Warmington, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Investigations, 2013

Archaeological investigations were undertaken by Network Archaeology Ltd in 2012 on a 0.4ha vacant plot within the centre of Warmington, Northamptonshire. The work revealed a low density of remains relating to the previous use of the site. Other than a residual sherd of Roman pottery, the earliest remains were a scatter of Saxo-Norman midden pits, chiefly concentrated in the south-eastern corner of the site. This area remained the focus of pit digging into the later medieval period, when a double post hole alignment and probable crop-drying kiln were also in use. The medieval remains are thought to relate to domestic occupation either on the site or very close by, although no definite remains of house structures were found. To judge by the pottery assemblage, the majority of this activity ceased around the 14th century, perhaps due to the effects of the Black Death. Post-medieval remains were less numerous, and appear less directly related to settlement. The remains of at least two plot boundary walls of this date were exposed. The shared orientation of these walls, an adjacent Saxo-Norman pit alignment, and current neighbouring plot boundaries reveals the longevity of the settlement template within this part of the village. The archaeological investigations have produced data useful to the pursuit of current regional research goals, particularly those relating to the development and economy of rural settlements in the High Medieval period.