Monument record MLI85332 - Medieval activity, Wharf Road, Stamford

Summary

Medieval activity, Wharf Road, Stamford

Type and Period (4)

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Full Description

PRN 36476 An archaeological evaluation (trial trenching) on land at Wharf Road, Stamford, identified a number of features dating to between the 12th and 14th century, indicative of small scale settlement or industrial activity in the area. The features were observed at a depth of 1.0m or slightly more from current ground level, although the overlying garden soil was as shallow as 0.30m. The features include cut features - postholes, pits and ditches, most of which were shallow and ephemeral, perhaps due to truncation. A more substantial pit feature found in the western end of Trench 4, had a clay lining, and the environmental evidence suggests a cess pit or deposit. Most of the medieval pottery consisted of small sherds and with a relatively low numerical count, suggesting a secondary refuse rather than primary deposition. The medieval pottery is broadly contemporary with the founding of the town wall (just to the north, i.e. in the 13th century). The large amount of iron slag recovered is indicative of metalworking in the near vicinity. Although no in situ evidence for iron working was identified, the occurrence of both smelting and smithing waste suggests metalworking was a significant industry. Perhaps after the construction of the town wall, the Wharf Road area became something of a backwater, hence the thick and homogenous garden-soil layers which sealed the cut features below. The area would appear to have lain undeveloped until the industrial activity of the mid 19th and early 20th centuries (PRN 30744 and 36474). {1}{2}

Sources/Archives (2)

  •  Report: University of Leicester Archaeological Services. Sept 2003. An Archaeological Evaluation and Auger Survey at Wharf Road/Albert Road, Stamford. WRS03.
  •  Archive: University of Leicester Archaeological Services. Sept 2003. An Archaeological Evaluation and Auger Survey at Wharf Road/Albert Road, Stamford. LCNCC 2003.276.

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Location

Grid reference Centred TF 03284 06991 (101m by 96m)
Civil Parish STAMFORD, SOUTH KESTEVEN, LINCOLNSHIRE

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Record last edited

Mar 21 2021 8:35PM

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