Northamptonshire Archaeology 14

Excavation is now complete (over 80% of inner enclosure, nearly 25% of outer): the Neolithic earthworks had been substantially renovated several times. The interior contained a few Neolithic pits and a late Neolithic timber structure, and there followed Early Bronze Age cremation burials, Iron Age rectilinear enclosures, Roman pits, and a medieval field system.

The finding of stone wall foundations, Belgic-type pottery and a possible kiln, was reported to the NDC. The site was visited and further archaeological features were identified, chiefly in the sides of foundation trenches dug for new houses. All observed features were recorded and a salvage excavation concentrated on the possible kiln sites. The kiln originally identified proved too disturbed for much detail to be recovered, but a further three kilns were found and excavated. They were of a type well documented in the upper Nene valley in the 1st-2nd century AD, simple updraught kilns using portable kiln furniture.

Excavations opposite St Peter's Church were designed to explore the Saxon and early medieval development of the town. Early/Middle Saxon timber structures aligned on Marefair were succeeded by further Saxon phases. Some environmental material was recovered as well as industrial evidence (including silver working). Stone building began in early medieval times and included a house, drying oven, and possible forge. The latest deposits date to the 17th century

Gives an indication of the increase in archaeological knowledge gained since 1974 when the County Council began photographing both cropmark and earthwork sites. Many new sites recorded in 1978 are listed.

Summaries of fieldwork carried out in Northamptonshire during 1978