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Archaeological finds

Archaeology provides us with the tools to examine and explain human behaviour and understand how society functions. It is also important that we learn from the past and apply these lessons to present day.

There have been many archaeological finds across West Northamptonshire, including: 

  • an Iron Age hillfort at Hunsbury Hill
  • a Roman settlement at Duston
  • a historic site near the River Nene where the Battle of Northampton took place during the Wars of the Roses
  • the key battle site at Naseby which decided the English Civil War

Archaeological sites

Market Square

Medieval shoes, textiles, and pottery dating from 1200 to 1350 were found beneath the Market Square surfaces. Archaeologists also uncovered animal bones, wood, and remnants of several structures.

Finds include:

A decorated medieval leather flask

 

A medieval wrist guard for an archer

 

An upper part of a medieval boot

 

Part of a medieval decorative leather strap

 

Medieval leather offcuts of udders

Other interesting finds include:

  • a fine stone building in the centre of Market Square, dated later than the previously discovered medieval layers, which could be a previously unknown market hall
  • a stone building dated 1100 to 1150, which could predate the use of the first market area in 1236
  • the Great Conduit of Northampton at the south end of Market Square, thought to have been built by Edward IV and documented as being repaired in 1509
  • buildings seen on John Speed’s map of 1610, discovered on the west side of the market - these buildings stood before the Great Fire of Northampton in 1675

These finds were made by MOLA Archaeology, which has an office in Northampton.

Chalk Lane Car Park

Large pieces of ironstone, which might once have formed part of Northampton Castle, were uncovered by archaeologists working at Chalk Lane Car Park.

The archaeologists carefully removed and preserved the findings and carried out an investigation to discover more about the car park, which is steeped in heritage and history and is where Northampton Castle once stood.

Chester House Estate

The Chester House Estate near Irchester has an Archaeological Resource Centre which is a fantastic facility holding the collections kept at Chester House.

This is a nationally significant heritage site and is steeped in 10,000 years worth of history offering:

  • rich Roman heritage
  • archaeological digs
  • heritage trails

 

Last updated 15 October 2024