SNN55278 - Barby Castle: Archaeological Evaluation Report

At the request of the landowner (Wrigley Contracts), the Northamptonshire County Council Archaeology unit conducted an archaeological evaluation at the site of Barby Castle, Northants (NGR SP544707) in November 1888. The primary objective was to determine if earthworks adjacent to the castle mound, a scheduled ancient monument (County no.177) presumed to be of medieval date, were contemporary and to determine their function and whether they warranted preservation or recording prior to any development of the site. The earthworks were first surveyed (fig.2) their form being such as to suggest a medieval origin. They and the neighbouring area (excluding the scheduled part of the site) were then subject to evaluation trenching. With the exception of a single medieval pit sherd no corroborative dating evidence was recovered to confirm the earthworks date of origin though the recorded sequence indicated that apart from some minor earthworks which were clearly of recent origin, the majority including a prominent ditch and bank extending across the site from E to W, were probably of medieval date. The paucity of features which could be ascribed a medieval date indicates that apart from boundaries and some possible pits to the E of the castle mound, the area investigated was devoid of buildings or any form of significant domestic occupation during the medieval age. As such there is no evidence for a castle bailey immediately N, E or W of the castle though the eastern set of earthworks could represent the little utilised back-ends of village tenements or other small enclosures separated from the contemporary open-fields to the N by the prominent ditch and bank. Sealed below the medieval horizons of the site were an extensive series of Romano-British features including ditches, layers, pits and post-holes dated to the 1st/2nd centuries AD. The extent and function of this Roman occupation is unknown. The fieldwork and post-excavation analysis was carried out by Mr G Cadman.