Title: |
Archaeological investigations on the earthwork in Castle Close, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, 2013 |
Series: |
Access Cambridge Archaeology unpublished report series
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Downloads: |
accessca1-193323_1.pdf (2 MB)
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Download
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Licence Type: |
ADS Terms of Use and Access
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DOI |
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Publication Type: |
Report (in Series)
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Abstract: |
This report details the project design, results and interpretations of archaeological investigations in August 2013 in the interior of a circular earthwork enclosure, defined on the HER as a medieval moated site, in Castle Close, Sharnbrook. The excavation was funded jointly by the Heritage Lottery Fund 'All Our Stories' scheme and the Arts and Humanities Research Council R4CH 'Cambridge Community Heritage' programme. Excavation over four days of a 2m2 trench within the circular earthwork exposed a hearth or oven with associated stoke hole and parts of several other features hinting at the presence of one or more built structures, all dated by associated pottery to the 12th century AD. The character of the features appeared to be largely domestic, although some specialisation is indicated and the presence of a sizeable assemblage of horseshoe nails supports the suggestion that the site was moderately high-status. Occupation was short-lived, certainly spanning less than a century and possibly only a decade or so. The date (12th century) and the form (circular and embanked) are both atypical of moated sites and the site is now better defined as a small, late ringwork: it may represent a transitional phase between ringworks and moated sites. Historical records suggest it may have been the documented 'bury' of Trikets manor. The likely context for its construction is the Anarchy of the early 12th century and it was probably abandoned after Henry II came to power in 1154 AD. |
Author: |
Carenza Lewis
A Pryor
Jennifer Barnes
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Publisher: |
Access Cambridge Archaeology
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Other Person/Org: |
Historic England (OASIS Reviewer)
Bedford Borough HER (OASIS Reviewer)
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Year of Publication: |
2014
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Locations: |
Site: |
Castle Close |
County: |
Bedfordshire |
District: |
Bedford |
Parish: |
SHARNBROOK |
Country: |
England |
Grid Reference: 498918, 259551 (Easting, Northing)
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Subjects / Periods: |
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Identifiers: |
OASIS Id: |
accessca1-193323 |
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Note: |
A4, 45 pages, comb bound
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Source: |
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Relations: |
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Created Date: |
01 Feb 2018 |