SNN115051 - Report on a Progamme of Archaeological Observation, Investigation and Recording at St Mary's Church, Staverton

Listed Building Consent DA/2018/0815 was granted by Daventry District Council (now part of West Northamptonshire Council) for the installation of toilet facilities within the existing Sexton’s storage hut with associated trenching for services at St Mary’s Church Staverton. A church faculty was also obtained for the necessary work. A condition required the implementation of an archaeological watching brief during the groundworks phase of the project which comprised the excavation of a service trench linking the Sexton’s hut to the existing sewer outside the churchyard gate. The archaeological observation and recording exercise was undertaken on the 2nd and 8th November 2022 and revealed a simple stratigraphy of topsoil overlying the burial horizon which in turn sealed the natural (only observed in limited areas). Charnel material was recovered from the burial horizon which was collected for reburial. The only feature identified within the monitored area was a brick burial vault of 19th century origin.