Monument record MLI20226 - The settlement of Holbeach Hurn
Summary
The settlement of Holbeach Hurn
Type and Period (2)
- SETTLEMENT (Early Medieval/Dark Age to Modern - 1000 AD to 2050 AD)
- DITCH (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Full Description
PRN 20226
The place name Holbeach Hurn appears to be Anglo-Saxon in origin. Holbeach is interpreted variously as meaning 'hole' or 'hollow place' and Hurn appears to mean a corner of land. The village name may mean an island or peninsula. {1}
The proximity of Holbeach Hurn to the coastline, beyond the Roman Bank (PRN 24025), would have made it an ideal place for the collection of tidal silts, subsequently filtered through shallow ponds to collect salt crystals. Desalinated silt waste mounds associated with the medieval industry are visible as earthworks within the village. These include at least three pronounced mounds (PRN 23647, 23648 and 23649) and significant undulations on arable land less than 1km to the south / southeast (PRN 22242 and 20431).{2}{3}
In the early post-medieval period Holbeach Hurn still appears to have been relatively close to the coastline, as indicated by Speede's map of 1610, where the village is referred to as Holbichthurne. Two hunded years later, as indicated on the first edition one inch Ordnance Survey map of 1824, 'Holbeach Hirne' was significantly inland.{2}{3}
A gradiometer survey indicated a network of linear features and 'burnt' features that may be associated with salt-making industry (see PRN 24073). The anomalies may represent hearth deposits found previously on salt-making sites.{2}{3}
Post-medieval and modern features, in the form of ditches, field boundaries and demolition deposits were also recorded during the gradiometer survey. A distinct rectangular area, centred on TF 3933 2713, probably represents a demolished post-medieval building (possibly a greenhouse).{2}{3}
The post medieval settlement of Holbeach Hurn includes a Victorian church (PRN24002) and Hurn Hall (PRN24003).{4}
Archaeological trial trenching centered on TF3942 2725 revealed a ditch that is probably post-medieval in date. {5}{6}
Sources/Archives (6)
- <1> SLI5432 Bibliographic Reference: Kenneth Cameron. 1998. A Dictionary of Lincolnshire Place-Names. Page 64.
- <2> SLI11727 Archive: Pre-Construct Archaeology/Geophysics. March 2000. Archaeological Desk Top Study and Fluxgate Gradiometer Survey, Sites A - C, Holbeach Hurn.
- <3> SLI6140 Report: Pre-Construct Geophysics/Archaeology. March 2000. Archaeological Desk Top Survey and Fluxgate Gradiometer Survey - Sites A-C, Holbeach Hurn.
- <4> SLI1062 Bibliographic Reference: Nikolaus Pevsner and John Harris, with Nicholas Antram. 1989. Buildings of England: Lincolnshire (Second Edition). Page 386.
- <5> SLI13381 Report: Archaeological Project Services. 2011. Archaeological Evaluation on Land at Marsh Road, Holbeach Hurn. HOMR11.
- <6> SLI13382 Archive: Archaeological Project Services. 2011. Archaeological Evaluation on Land at Marsh Road, Holbeach Hurn. LCNCC: 2011.20.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred TF 3925 2664 (1454m by 1415m) |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | HOLBEACH, SOUTH HOLLAND, 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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