SNN116488 - Archaeological Evaluation To The Rear of 49-53 Sheep Street Northampton Northamptonshire

An archaeological trial trench evaluation was undertaken at the rear of 49-53 Sheep Street, in Northampton- This was launched in advance of a proposed residential development of the site. The site in mention was acknowledged to be of archaeologically sensitive placement, as the site is placed close to a medieval town dating to the 12thC. The village, in question is close to the 12thC Church of the Holy Sepulchre- a medieval floor surface has also been uncovered nearby. The trenching evaluation revealed a well at the Western end of Trench 1- suggesting an external area fronting Broad Street at this time, as well as a wall located to its East which is thought to be contemporary. Two walls were revealed in Trench 2, both aligned North-South and with a clay floor laid between them- thus indicating their probable contemporaniety. A phase of demolition in the same area revealed a the construction of two brick structures. The Northwest and Southwest walls of one structure was evident, which may have been a cellar of coal hole. To the Northwest of this was another wall, which may have been part of another contemporary structure. The structures within Trench 2 is thought to be part of a building fronting Broad Street evident in the late 19thC OS map for this area. All findings on the site are recognised to be dated to the post-medieval period.