SNN117170 - An Anglo-Saxon Settlement at Land off Stoke Doyle Road, Oundle, Northamptonshire

Between 20th January and 21st February 2025 Oxford Archaeology undertook an archaeological excavation (c. 0.5ha) on the site of a consented residential development at Stoke Doyle Road, Oundle, Northamptonshire. The project was commissioned by RPS on behalf of David Wilson Homes (South Midlands). This followed on from previous phases of geophysical survey (SUMO 2018) and trial trenching (MOLA 2021). The excavation revealed activity spanning from the prehistoric through to the post-medieval periods. The earliest activity identified was a series of small shallow pits, some of which contained assemblages of worked flint and Middle Neolithic pottery, identified as Fengate and Mortlake sub-styles. In the eastern part of the site an isolated crouched burial of a young adult female was revealed, radiocarbon dated to the Early to Middle Iron Age. During the Early Anglo-Saxon period (probably in the late 5th century) a settlement was established on this natural promontory formed between Lyveden Brook and the River Nene. Represented by three sunken featured buildings (SFBs), a large post-built timber structure/hall and several associated pits, this small farmstead or hamlet once extended further to the east where an earlier SFB (early 5th century) and a hearth were revealed during works associated with a housing development in the 1980s. Two of the SFBs were of a typical size, around 4m long and 3m wide, with a posthole situated at either end. The third building, SFB 46, was much more substantial, measuring around 6m long and 4m wide, with two large internal postholes. This was surrounded by the remains of the timber hall-type building which had been constructed over the footprint of SFB once it had fallen from use. Following its abandonment in the 7th century, it seems likely that settlement coalesced around the church and Burystede manor to the north-east, within the historic core of Oundle. Within the site, there was a hiatus of activity until the medieval to post-medieval period when the site lay within the town’s fields, evidenced by furrows and two large pits, the latter probably for stone extraction. Finds associated with the SFBs are somewhat typical of this class of structure, and include fragments of fired clay loom weights, a spindlewhorl, worked bone and antler (including needles and pin beaters and a rare example of a bone flute) alongside several dress accessories and other metal objects. A large assemblage of Early to Middle Anglo-Saxon pottery was recovered which incorporates some more unusual items including possible continental imports. The archaeobotanical and animal bone assemblages show a mixed farming regime focused on wheat and barley, alongside the main domestic animals (cattle, sheep/goat and pig) and fowl, with evidence for on-site breeding, and supplemented by other resources such as fruit and nuts.