Monument record MLI127668 - Medieval activity to the south of Church Road, Old Leake

Summary

Medieval features and artefacts on land to the south of Church Road and north of School Lane, Old Leake.

Type and Period (6)

  • (Medieval - 1100 AD to 1500 AD)
  • (Medieval - 1100 AD to 1500 AD)
  • (Medieval - 1100 AD to 1500 AD)
  • (Medieval - 1100 AD to 1500 AD)
  • (Medieval - 1100 AD to 1500 AD)
  • (Medieval - 1100 AD to 1500 AD)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Full Description

Archaeological features dating to the 12th-15th centuries were uncovered here during a programme of trial trenching undertaken between December 2003 and January 2004. These were largely restricted to the northern half of the site, though there was also a concentration of Medieval activity at the southern limit of the investigation area. Isolated pits containing small quantities of Medieval finds were recorded, along with plough marks and a probable boundary or roadside ditch with a parallel gully, all aligned east-west. Few artefacts were retrieved from these ditch features which are porbably related to agricultural, particularly arable, functions. A large refuse pit containing substantial quantities of Medieval waste material was revealed towards the east of the site. Remains of aquatic plants from the pit suggest it held water at least periodically. Brick fragments occurred abundantly in the pit, some of which were overfired, suggesting primary deposition from nearby brick making sites of 15th century date. Near to the pit was a pair of post holes that yielded pottery sherds of 13th to 14th century date. The apparent concentration of features in this part of the site may be indicative of occupation in the close vicinity during this period. Pits, gullies and ditches, one of them curvilinear, were recorded in the southern corner of the site. These generally contained few fragments of Medieval pottery and no other finds. The dearth of occupation debris here suggests these features were peripheral to habitation and perhaps were agricultural in origin. {1}{2} A second phase of trial trenching to the south of this, conducted in May 2006, uncovered a series of pits and ditches of Medieval date. Few finds were recovered from these features, supporting the idea that this area was outlying to the Medieval settlement, and was probably in agricultural use. {3}{4} Subsequent open area excavation revealed more features of probable agricultural function in the centre of the site. Four widely dispersed pits were also identified containing Medieval pottery. The comparative scarcity of Medieval features in this area is reflected in the pottery assemblage, which is dominated by Toynton types throught to have been manufactured in Boston. Environmental samples from twelfth to fifteenth century deposits were noticeably different to those of other periods in that the weed assemblage was dominated by grass fruits and seeds of grassland herbs. Residues from the high temperature combustion of grass/straw indicated the burning of flooring materials or animal fodder/litter. Henbane seeds may have derivded from plants growing in base rich soils or near to manure heaps. {5}{6}

Sources/Archives (6)

  •  Report: Archaeological Project Services. 2004. Archaeological Evaluation on Land off School Lane/Church Road, Old Leake. APS Site Code: SLO03.
  •  Archive: Archaeological Project Services. 2004. Archaeological Evaluation on Land off School Lane/Church Lane, Old Leake. LCNCC: 2003.381.
  •  Report: Archaeological Project Services. 2006. Archaeological Evaluation on Land off School Lane/Church Road, Old Leake. APS Site Code: OLSL06.
  •  Archive: Archaeological Project Services. 2006. Archaeological Evaluation on Land off School Lane/Church Road, Old Leake. LCNCC: 2003.381.
  •  Report: Archaeological Project Services. 2009. Archaeological Excavation on Land Opposite School Lane, Old Leake, Lincolnshire. APS Site Code: OLSL07.
  •  Archive: Archaeological Project Services. 2009. Archaeological Excavation on Land Opposite School Lane, Old Leake, Lincolnshire. LCNCC: 2007.186.

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Location

Grid reference Centred TF 4053 5047 (146m by 186m) Estimated from sources
Civil Parish OLD LEAKE, BOSTON, LINCOLNSHIRE

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Related Events/Activities (3)

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Record last edited

May 2 2025 10:03AM

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