SNN114953 - Archaeological watching brief report: Land to rear of 21 and 23 Sheaf Street, Daventry, Northamptonshire

JLK Architectural Design LLP commissioned Allen Archaeology Limited to undertake a programme of archaeological monitoring and recording, as a condition of planning consent for groundworks for a residential development on the land to the rear of 21 and 23 Sheaf Street, Daventry, Northamptonshire. The site lies within the medieval settlement core of Daventry, in an area which has been a designated conservation area since 1978. Prehistoric and Roman activity is present in the area surrounding site, comprising an Iron Age gold coin spot find, and excavations to the northeast of site revealed a substantial Roman building and small settlement. Medieval activity is well represented with monuments such as Boundary walls and the Market cross, and excavations revealing features of medieval to post medieval date in the area surrounding site. The works comprised of the excavation of a rectangular shaped dwelling footings, measuring 7.5m long, 5.5m wide and excavated to depths ranging between 0.70-1.20m deep. The archaeological works identified no significant archaeological activity. However, the works revealed the stratigraphic sequence of deposits across the site as well as a brick surface situated in the southern part of the monitored area. A made ground deposit was also identified in the south part of the site, situated under the brick surface. This made ground deposit produced a selection of materials including glass and pottery of medieval to post-medieval date. There was a distinct difference in stratigraphy between the southern and northern parts of the site, which could be related to the property boundary between 21-23 Sheaf Street and the neighbouring property to the south. This property boundary is present on maps from the late 19th century. However, the made ground uncovered in the south part of the site, containing medieval to post-medieval material, suggests that these land divisions could date to the medieval or early post-medieval period. The 25” second edition OS map of the area show a row of outbuildings located towards the back of 21-23 Sheaf Street. It is possible that the uncovered brick surface is related to these outbuildings.