SNN654 - Archaeological Excavations at Swan Street, Northampton 1989

Archaeological excavations were undertaken by the Contracts Section of Northamptonshire Archaeology Unit in 1989 to the east of Swan Street, Northampton, ahead of the development of the area as the St John's multi-storey car park. It was anticipated that archaeological deposits relating to the medieval period occupation of the area and to the town defences might be present on the site and that these deposits were likely to be destroyed by the development. The evaluation comprised the excavation of four trial trenches over a period of 7 weeks in June-July 1989. No definite evidence of the town defences was recovered but archaeological deposits of 11th century date onwards were found to survive in a reasonable condition. Accordingly it was decided that a sample areas should be excavated at the south end of the development area adjoining evaluation trenches A and B where the archaeological deposits were best preserved. Two trenches were excavated either side of Evaluation Trench A. The earliest activity on site, dating to the 11th century, was a large pit, possibly a quarry pit. During the 12th and 13th centuries there were a series of ephemeral, low-status structures. Swan Street may have been laid out in the 13th century since a more regular north-south alignment of features becomes evident. The features resemble sunken-featured buildings. There was a hiatus in occuptation during the 14th century, but during the 15th century further low-status buildings were constructed. There was a further period of inactivity during the 16th century when the site was in agricultural use 9as evidenced by bedding trenches).