Monument record MLI13351 - A middle Saxon settlement at Church Road, Boston
Summary
A middle Saxon settlement including two grubenhauser on a roddon at Church Road, Boston
Type and Period (3)
- GRUBENHAUS (Early Medieval/Dark Age - 700 AD to 799 AD)
- SETTLEMENT (Early Medieval/Dark Age - 700 AD to 799 AD)
- DITCH (Early Medieval/Dark Age - 700 AD? to 799 AD?)
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Full Description
PRN 13351
During the construction of a new building at St Nicholas School, Boston, two 8th century grubenhauser (sunken floor buildings) were identified indicating a small middle Saxon settlement on the siltlands here. The site is situated on a roddon and it seems likely that the environment around Boston in the 7th and 8th centuries was too wet to allow sustained settlement other than on roddons and other natural vantage points. Although the grubenhauser were not centred on the roddon, it is possible that they were positioned on the downslope of the roddon. Sherds of middle Saxon pottery were recovered from the two grubenhauser. The sherds were unworn and identified as Maxey ware, both the Northern Maxey-type ware and the Southern Maxey-type ware. It is a small but important group of middle Saxon pottery that helps to define the boundary between the distribution of Northern and Southern Maxey-type wares. The presence of both Maxey-type wares indicates that the area drew its supplies from more than one market. There is also an absence of pottery of pre- or post-eighth century date indicating that occupation here was confined to the 8th century. Carbonised cereal grains were recovered, mostly barley but including some wheat and limited evidence for pulses. There was some very tentative evidence for flax cultivation. Animal bones were also found, predominately cattle bone but with some sheep and chicken bones. Fish bones included flatfish such as sole and mullet, and young cod and hake suggesting inshore fishing. There were also a number of mussel shells found on the site. Four undated linear ditches or gullies were found on the north side of the site, close to the grubenhauser and, given the complete absence of archaeological features dating earlier or later than the middle Saxon period on the site, it seems likely that these ditches and the grubenhauser are contemporary. There was evidence to suggest that the second grubenhaus was destroyed by fire at the end of its life. {1}{2}{3}
Sources/Archives (3)
- <1> SLI5297 Report: Pre-Construct Archaeology. 1995. Archaeological Excavation and Watching Brief Report: St Nicholas School, Church Road, Boston. SNS95.
- <2> SLI1720 Archive: Pre-Construct Archaeology. 1995. Archaeological Excavation and Watching Brief: St Nicholas School, Church Road, Boston. LCNCC 1995.37.
- <3> SLI13823 Article in Serial: Palmer Brown, Colin. 1996. 'Two middle Saxon grubenhauser at St Nicholas School, Church Road, Boston' in Lincolnshire History and Archaeology. vol.31, pp.10-19.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred TF 3368 4359 (62m by 63m) |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | BOSTON, BOSTON, LINCOLNSHIRE |
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (1)
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External Links (0)
Record last edited
Mar 21 2021 8:35PM
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