Monument record MLI116251 - Worked Stone, Julian Bower, Louth
Summary
Worked stone fragments found in the vicinity of Julian Bower, Louth. Mostly of unknown date and origin, but includes some likely medieval stonework.
Type and Period (2)
- ARTEFACT SCATTER (Unknown date)
- ARCHITECTURAL FRAGMENT (Medieval - 1200 AD? to 1299 AD?)
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
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Full Description
Several stones have been found in the vicinity of the earthwork platform on the playing field off Julian Bower, and in surrounding gardens in Louth. Some of these stones are thought to have been worked. {1}
During trial trenching on the playing field off Julian Bower, Louth, a large piece of stone was recovered from the top of the till in trench 2. The excavators did not believe it showed signs of working, but submitted a photograph of the stone for specialist geological analysis. This specialist believed the stone to be a fragment of Permian limestone, typical of the geology of this region. {2}{3}
A second geological specialist viewed photographs of the stone and examined the Trial Trenching report produced by Allen Archaeology (Source 2). From the description and photographs of the till deposit in the report, this second specialist was of the opinion that the deposit was a lodgement till, in which stones such as the one recovered in this area would not be found. Contrary to the first specialist opinion, they believed that human agency would be a more reasonable interpretation for the presence of the stone in the top of this deposit (ie. that the stone had been brought to the site by human rather than glacial action). They noted that other fragments of worked stone had been found by local residents on or close to the site, and that they may have been from a built structure(s). {4}
A single photograph of the large stone found during trial trenching was examined by an expert on monastic archaeology (Dr Glyn Coppack). Although difficult to be certain without examining the stone in person, this expert was of the opinion that the stone appeared to have been roughly worked, and typical of material used in rubble walling. Following a visit to the area, this expert noted that there were a couple of stones in the vicinity which were not native to the Julian Bower area or even Louth more generally. Some of the stones on the road side were identified as probable late 12th century material. It was thought likely by the expert that these stones represented fragments from demolished medieval buildings and structures, sold on for re-use elsewhere, although the original buildings and structures from which these stones were taken is not known. The re-use of medieval stonework in later walls and structures is a common occurrence in Lincolnshire, especially in the east, where good building stone was in limited supply. Indeed, it is known that fragments from Louth Park Abbey and other medieval buildings from the town have been re-used across a wide area. {5}
A third geological specialist conducted an inspection of the large stone, this time viewing it in person. This specialist identified the object as probably a dense igneous rock, rather than limestone, and could see no convincing evidence to suggest it had been worked. They concluded that the stone was most likely an unworked glacial erratic of igneous origin from the local till. Such stones are sometimes used in rubble walling, but such a use could not be confirmed from the visible evidence of this stone alone. {6}
A further stone, measuring roughly 5" long and 1" wide, was found after the trial tench evaluation had concluded, in the area of trench 2. No analysis of this stone is known to have been conducted, and it is not clear if this was worked or of natural origin. {7}
Sources/Archives (7)
- <1> SLI15460 Electronic Communication: Mrs Furlong. 2016. Correspondence from a Local Resident. 01/04/2016.
- <2> SLI15421 Report: Allen Archaeology Ltd. 2016. Trial Trenching on Land at Julian Bower, Louth. AAL site code: LOJB 15.
- <3> SLI15422 Archive: Allen Archaeology Ltd. 2016. Trial Trenching on Land at Julian Bower, Louth. LCNCC 2015.196.
- <4> SLI15525 Correspondence: Dr J. Eyers. 2016. Letter Regarding Land at Julian Bower, Louth. 16 January 2016.
- <5> SLI15463 Electronic Communication: Mrs Furlong. 2016. Correspondence from a Local Resident. 28 January 2016.
- <6> SLI15558 Unpublished Document: Dr Kevin Hayward. 2016. Comments on the Petrology and Working of the Louth stone ROJB15 [201]. -.
- <7> SLI15460 Electronic Communication: Mrs Furlong. 2016. Correspondence from a Local Resident. 04/04/2016.
Map
Location
Grid reference | TF 326 866 (point) Estimated from Sources |
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Civil Parish | LOUTH, EAST LINDSEY, LINCOLNSHIRE |
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (1)
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Record last edited
Oct 27 2023 9:24AM
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