Monument record MLI116289 - Medieval Activity, St Botolphs Crescent, Lincoln

Summary

A number of medieval pits, ditches and probable sand quarries, on land at St Botolphs Crescent, Lincoln.

Type and Period (4)

  • (Medieval - 1100 AD to 1499 AD)
  • (Medieval - 1200 AD to 1399 AD)
  • (Medieval - 1200 AD to 1399 AD)
  • ? (Medieval - 1200 AD to 1399 AD)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Full Description

A number of large pits were recorded in this location in February 2015, during trial trenching to inform proposed development on land off St Botolphs Crescent. A small assemblage of medieval pottery and tile, ranging in date from the 12th to 15th centuries, was recovered from the fills of the pits, along with a small quantity of animal bone. Analysis of environmental samples taken from the pit fills identified only a low density of scattered domestic waste, and indicated that the pits were filled by material deposited after flooding of this area. The low density of finds and environmental evidence would suggest that, rather than representing former rubbish pits, these features were dug to extract sand for use in building and pottery manufacture, and likely indicate that this area was too marshy for permanent occupation. {1}{2} Further medieval features were recorded in this location in April 2015, during the subsequent archaeological monitoring of groundworks for the new development. The features were located to the immediate east of the southernmost large pit, identified in the previous trial trenching, and comprised a number of ditches and pits, all of likely medieval date. A large quantity of medieval pottery was recovered from several of the features, with the assemblage being overwhelmingly comprised of sherds from 13th to 14th century Lincoln Glazed ware vessels, including a unique example of a decorated early rounded jug. Eight fragments of probable 13th century, flat medieval roof tile were also recovered, along with a flared medieval iron chisel blade. A substantial deposit of cattle horn cores and bones was also identified in several of the more closely dated features, suggesting that possible tanning and horn working industries were active in this area at the time. Although this area was previously thought to be too marshy to support permanent occupation, this concentration of features would suggest that the eastern part of the site was drier than the land to the west, and was perhaps more suitable for habitation and industry. A small number of redeposited Saxo-Norman pottery sherds were also recovered from two of the features, which may indicate possibly earlier activity in this area as well. {3}{4}

Sources/Archives (4)

  •  Report: Allen Archaeology Ltd. 2015. Land off St Botolphs Crescent, Lincoln. AAL site code: LISB 14.
  •  Archive: Allen Archaeology Ltd. 2015. Land off St Botolphs Crescent, Lincoln. LCNCC 2014.27.
  •  Report: Allen Archaeology Ltd. 2016. Land off St Botolph's Crescent, Lincoln. AAL site code: LISB 15.
  •  Archive: Allen Archaeology Ltd. 2016. Land off St Botolph's Crescent, Lincoln. LCNCC 2014.27.

Map

Location

Grid reference Centred SK 9705 6987 (70m by 82m) Estimated from sources
Civil Parish BOULTHAM, LINCOLN, LINCOLNSHIRE

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (2)

External Links (0)

Record last edited

Mar 21 2021 8:35PM

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