SNN47103 - Moat House Hotel, Northampton: Archaeological Desktop Assessment And Trial Excavation

An archaeological desktop assessment indicates that the proposed location of a swimming pool at the Moat House hotel lies towards the rear of the plots of former properties fronting onto King Street. There were cellars along much of the former frontage. An archaeological test pit has located large medieval pits of 13th century date at a depth of 1200mm below present ground level. Above this there are post-medieval soil horizons, and 18th century to early 20th century activity which includes pits, a well and a stone-lined pit. At the southern end of the test pit recent building debris extended to the full depth of the excavation. The excavated evidence therefore indicates that much of the swimming pool area lies within former backyards, but to the south it overlaps with the rear of the former properties, and in this area there is likely to be extensive disturbance from the former post-medieval and Victorian buildings. No late Saxon soil horizons or features survived within the excavated area, but some residual pottery was recovered. It is therefore unlikely that any surviving evidence of medieval buildings fronting onto King Street will be uncovered in the course of the groundworks, but medieval or earlier pits and other cut features may well be exposed in the digging out of the swimming pool area.