test-pit 12: 10 market place (sk 40582 03048) · at the bottom of the pit was a c.0.1m thick layer...

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Test-Pit 12: 10 Market Place (SK 40582 03048)

Test-Pit 12 was excavated in lawn in the rear garden of 10 market Place, on the southern side of the market

place at SK 40582 03048 (Figure 1). Over the course of two days on 22-23 July 2017, the test-pit was dug to

a depth of 0.75m with eight spits recorded. The excavation was carried out by Fred, Joe, and Margaret

Gutteridge, with Sophie Humphreys.

Figure 1: Test-Pit 12 before excavation. Looking north-east.

Figure 2: Test-Pit 12 post-excavation. Looking east.

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During the excavation, c.0.2m of turf and greyish-brown clayey-silt topsoil (Spits 1-2) was removed. Beneath

this was c.0.45m of dark brownish-grey clayey-silt subsoil containing frequent flecks of charcoal (Spits 3-7).

At the bottom of the pit was a c.0.1m thick layer of clay-bonded pebbles (Spit 8), possibly the remains of a

floor overlying the natural substratum of greyish-yellow clay, which was recorded at c.0.75m below ground

level (Figure 2).

In all, 1,995 individual finds (12.104kg) were recovered from the test-pit (Table 1). Post-medieval and modern

material was found throughout the pit and it was evident that the ground here was extensively reworked in the

past. This included 565 fragments of post-medieval/modern building material, predominately handmade

reddish-orange brick, and tile. Pottery from all levels of the pit (Spits 1-7) above the pebble surface recorded

in Spit 8, included 491 sherds of modern and post-medieval black ware, china, cream ware, earthenware,

Midland yellow, mottled ware, salt-glazed wares, slipware and stonewares (c.1550-present), as well as 4 sherds

of later medieval Cistercian ware (c.1475-1550) and 9 sherds of medieval Potters Marston ware, calcite gritted

ware and medieval sandy ware (c.1200-1400) - Figure 3. The presence of 9 sherds of medieval pottery suggests

that there was some medieval activity nearby, at least between the 13th and 14th centuries, although the smaller

quantity of later medieval pottery also suggests that activity had probably decreased by the 15th century, before

picking up again in the later 16th century.

Figure 3: Medieval and early post-medieval pot from TP12 (left), and post-medieval pot (right).

Figure 4: Other finds included (clockwise), a dress pin, shotgun cartridge, .22 Short cartridge case, marbles, buttons, a

pocket knife, light bulb, battery, computer chip and metal stud.

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Figure 5: Parts of a leather show (left) and broken prices of slate pencil (right).

Other finds included 23 pieces of clay pipe stem (c.1680-1914); 477 fragments of glass, predominately modern

bottle, and window glass; a glass marble, probably from a Cobb bottle (for carbonated drinks); 4 pieces from

possible slate pencils (used to write on slate boards); and the remains of a leather slipper-like shoe (Figure 4).

Metal objects from the subsoil (Spits 3-7) included 68 iron objects, mostly nail fragments, a small quantity of

iron slag, a copper alloy eyelet, the base of a shotgun shell and the base of a modern ‘bayonet’ light-bulb. The

topsoil (Spits 1-2) also produced a number of modern metal and plastic objects including, nails, tacks, screws

and washers, a pin, buttons, a folding pocket knife, a copper alloy .22 Short cartridge case, a Japanese computer

chip, a AAA Duracell Plus battery (dated 2014), electrical and gardening wire, and pieces of plastic plant pot

and plant labels, all testament to recent use of the garden (Figure 4).

A small assemblage of animal bone, some exhibiting signs of butchery, were also recovered. Animal bone

from Spit 4 appeared to be mostly from a small rodent, possibly a rat. Two pieces of calcined (cremated) bone

were also found in Spit 7. For bone to cremate it must have been heated to 650-800°C, and therefore is unlikely

to simply be a random process. However, in cannot be determined whether this bone is evidence of a human

cremation burial (c.4000 BC – AD 600) or some other process requiring the cremation of animal bone (e.g.

bone china, fertilizer etc.).

The property, 10 Market Place, is part of a row of cottages in the south-west corner of the market place. The

frontages have been restored in the late 19th century in an ‘estate style’ but behind this façade they are of cruck

construction, and therefore likely to be of much older date. This fits well with evidence from the test-pit, which

suggests there was activity in the vicinity in the medieval period, particularly between the 13th and 14th

centuries, with some activity possibly continuing in the 15th century and then picking up again in the later

16th century.

Table 1: Catalogue of finds from Test-Pit 12.

Test

-pit Spit Material* No. Description Date** Notes

12 1 CBM 74 Reddish orange

CBM Modern

12 1 BM 3 Concrete Modern

12 1 CBM 3 Greyish blue tile Modern 12-14mm thick

12 1 Carbon 19 Charcoal & coal Unknown

12 1 Glass 31 Clear curved glass Modern 1-5mm thick, body sherds

12 1 Glass 49 Clear flat glass Modern 2-7mm thick

12 1 Glass 2 Green curved

glass Modern 2mm thick, body sherds

12 1 Glass 1 Blue flat glass Modern 2mm thick

12 1 Glass 3 Clear curved glass Modern 3-5mm thick, rim/lip of 3 different glass

jars

12 1 Glass 1 Clear curved glass

with dimples Modern

4mm thick, body sherd, dimples 3mm

diam.

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Test


12 1 Glass 1 Clear curved glass Modern 3mm thick, body sherd, embossed with

'LUN_'

12 1 Glass 1 Turquoise curved

glass Modern

3mm thick, rim/lip, side embossed with

flower

12 1 Pot 13 Earthenware Modern Flower pot

12 1 Pot 28 China/porcelain Modern

12 1 Pot 3 Stoneware Modern

12 1 Pot 1 Black ware Post medieval

12 1 Pot 1 Mottled ware Post medieval

12 1 Bone 12 Animal bone Unknown

12 1 Metal 1 Washer Modern 40mm diam, inner hole 10mm diam

12 1 Metal 17 Fe objects Unknown Most likely nails, heavily rusted

12 1 Metal 1 Lead waste Unknown

12 1 Metal 3 Screws Modern Machine-made, 1.24" & 2.5"

12 1 Metal 2 Nails Modern Machine-made, 1.5"

12 1 Metal 1 Tack Modern Machine-made, 20mm long, head 12mm

diam

12 1 Metal 1 Wire Modern 2mm diam gardening wire

12 1 Plastic 3 Assorted plastic Modern Includes: plant pot, plant label, clear plastic

comb frag

12 1 Metal 1 Folding knife Modern Folding pocket knife, 90mm long

12 1 Metal 1 Button Modern Convex, 16mm diam

12 1 Metal 1 Pin Modern 30mm long, round plastic head

12 1 Metal 1 Computer chip Modern Stamped: NEC Japan, ?017202AGF 612,

9212BA003

12 1 Metal 1 AAA Battery Modern Duracell Plus (Mar 2014)

12 1 Clay pipe 1 Clay tobacco pipe

bowl fragment Post-medieval +

Small fragment, mould seam, scorching,

c.1680+


stem fragment Post-medieval + 2.4mm diam. bore

12 2 Carbon 15 Charcoal & coal Unknown

12 2 CBM 72 Reddish orange

CBM Modern

12 2 CBM 6 Greyish blue tile Modern 12mm thick

12 2 Glass 58 Clear curved glass Modern

2-5mm thick, body sherds, mainly smooth

glass, x6 small pieces with hints of

moulded decoration


12 2 Glass 1 Brown glass Modern 4mm thick, flat


glass Modern 3-4mm thick, body sherds

12 2 Glass 1 Pale blue curved

glass Modern 3mm thick, body sherd

12 2 Glass 4 Clear curved glass Modern 3-4mm thick, jar rims

12 2 Glass 1 Turquoise vessel

glass Modern 3mm thick, rim with embossed decoration

12 2 Glass 1 Pale blue curved

glass Post-medieval + 4mm thick, body sherd with iridescence


glass Post-medieval + 2mm thick, body sherd with iridescence

12 2 Glass 2 Clear curved glass Modern 3-4mm thick, body sherds with moulded

vertical ribs

12 2 Glass 2 Clear curved glass Modern 2-5mm thick, heel of jar/bottle with bit of

base, one has '_2.C EMF' stamp

12 2 Glass 1 Clear curved glass Modern 4mm thick, half the lip & neck of a bottle

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Test


12 2 Glass 1 Clear curved glass Modern 5-6mm thick, rim of a vase with wavy lip &

vertical moulding

12 2 Glass 1 Clear glass rod Modern 3mm diam,


12 2 Pot 16 Earthenware Modern Flowerpot

12 2 Pot 6 Earthenware Post medieval

12 2 Pot 7 Cream ware Modern

12 2 Pot 2 Brown salt glazed Post medieval


12 2 Pot 2 Slipware Post medieval 17th/18th


12 2 Pot 3 Cistercian/M

Black

Late medieval/early

post medieval

12 2 Pot 1 Medieval sandy High medieval c.1250 - 14th C+


12 2 Metal 1 Foil Modern

12 2 Metal 1 Knitting needle Modern Stamped 'Quaker Girl 9', 4mm diam,

233mm long, broken off at point

12 2 Metal 13 Nails Modern Machine-made


12 2 Metal 1 ?Tool blade Unknown Flat iron, tapered 80x20-50x4-6mm, poss./

part of a tool blade

12 2 Metal 10 Hearth slag Unknown

12 2 Plastic 8 Assorted plastic Modern

Includes: plastic ring-pull, frags of clear

corrugated plastic, electrical wire (green),

red tail-light

12 2 Plastic 1 Button Modern White, two-hole,14mm diam

12 2 Plastic 1 Button Modern Clear, shank button, 16mm diam

12 2 Metal 1 Button Modern shank button, convex, 16mm diam

12 2 Plastic 1 Bead Modern Pale blue, flattened oval, 8mm diam x

5mm, hole 3mm diam

12 2 Metal 1 Metal eyelet Modern 14mm diam, hole 7mm diam

12 2 Stone 1 ?Slate pencil Modern 32mm x 4mm diam, broken at both ends

12 2 Stone 1 Stone ball Unknown ?natural, brown, 12mm diam

12 2 Metal 1 Cartridge case Modern 7mm diam x 8mm (.22 Short?)



12 3 BM 3 Concrete Modern

12 3 Carbon 51 Charcoal & coal Modern

12 3 CBM 4 Yellow CBM Modern


12 3 CBM 3 Orangish red tile Modern 14mm thick

12 3 CBM 145 Orangish red

CBM Modern






12 3 Pot 2 Mottled ware Post medieval Pinkish body

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Test


12 3 Pot 2 Mottled ware Post medieval With slip

12 3 Pot 1 White salt glazed Post medieval




12 3 Pot 1 Midland yellow Post medieval

12 3 Pot 2 Medieval sandy High medieval 14th C+

12 3 Pot 1 Calcite gritted High medieval Jar rim 13th-14th C+

12 3 Glass 2 Brown curved

glass Modern 2-3mm thick


glass Modern 2mm thick

12 3 Glass 1 Blue curved glass Modern Base of octagonal bottle, 54x38mm

12 3 Glass 1 Glass marble Modern 19mm diam. clear glass, possibly from

Cobb bottle

12 3 Glass 1 Clear curved glass Modern Base of squared bottle? Embossed with

'UCB 8 OZ'


12 3 Glass 81 Clear curved glass Modern

1-5mm thick, includes bases of 4 jars 55m

diam., jar rims, mostly undiagnostic body

sherds



12 3 Metal 23 Fe objects Unknown Thin iron sheet, heavily corroded, possibly

all from the same object

12 3 Metal 1 ?Hook Unknown Possibly remains of a butcher's hook


12 3 Metal 1 Wire Modern 2mm diam gardening wire

12 3 Metal 1 Spring Modern Mousetrap-type spring 20x15mm, broken

12 3 Metal 1 Metal eyelet Modern 20mm diam

12 3 Metal 1 Shotgun shell Modern Base of shotgun shell, 22mm diam

12 3 Metal 2 Fitting Modern Linear strip with foot, torn at one end,

12mm wide, foot 22mm wide

12 3 Leather 3 Shoe Modern Heel & toe of shoe, ?child's size, slipper-

like



12 4 Carbon 3 Coal Unknown


CBM Modern

12 4 CBM 1 Yellow CBM Modern

12 4 CBM 2 Orangish red tile Modern 14mm thick






12 4 Pot 1 Stoneware + iron

wash Post medieval Cup c. 1750-1770

12 4 Pot 5 White salt glazed Post medieval



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Test




12 4 Pot 2 Earthenware Post medieval Jar rim


12 4 Pot 1 Potters Marston High medieval 12-13thC +

12 4 Glass 1 Brown curved


12 4 Glass 1 Blue curved glass Modern 2mm thick, embossed closely-spaced ribs




12 4 Glass 23 Clear curved glass Modern 1-4mm thick

12 4 Glass 1 Dark blue glass Modern 3mm thick, part of poison bottle?

12 4 Glass 2 Clear curved glass Modern 2-3mm thick, 1 embossed '_EM', 1

embossed 'HO'


glass Post-medieval + 4-7mm thick, bottle body & base sherd


Mostly small, at least 2 ?rat mandibles -

disturbed nest or burial? Evidence of

butchery on 1 larger mammal bone


12 4 Metal 1 Nail Modern Machine-made, 1.5"


12 4 Metal 1 Base of light-bulb Modern Bayonet fitting, base 15mm diam

12 4 Metal 1 Sheet/strapping Unknown 12mm wide

12 4 Stone 1 Stone ball Unknown 14mm diam





12 5 Carbon 2 Coal Unknown


CBM Modern

12 5 CBM 7 Orangish red tile Modern 17-21mm thick




12 5 Pot 18 Earthenware Post medieval Some red bodied Chilvers Coton




12 5 Pot 2 Black ware Post medieval Base, coarse fabric ?variant of EA4

12 5 Pot 1 Midland yellow Post medieval Abraded hollow ware

12 5 Pot 2 Medieval sandy High medieval Sooted/burnt base c.13th-14th C+



12 5 Glass 2 Green flat glass Modern 2mm thick

12 5 Glass 11 Clear flat glass Modern 1-2mm thick, 2 with some iridescence



glass Modern Bottle base, 45mm diam.

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Test


12 5 Glass 1 Blue curved glass Modern Bottle base sherd, embossed rib decoration,

40mm diam.

12 5 Bone 14 Animal bone Unknown Evidence of butchery



12 5 Stone 3 ?Slate pencil Modern

3 pieces, poss. From same object, 4mm

diam, broken ends, one ends with tapered

point







CBM Modern





12 6 Pot 7 Midland yellow Post medieval Jar rim, abraded


12 6 Pot 1 Black ware Post medieval Coarse fabric

12 6 Pot 1 Cistercian Late medieval c.1450-1550

12 6 Pot 2 Medieval sandy High medieval 2 bowl rims 14th-15th C+






glass Modern 4mm thick, bottle neck and rim sherd

12 6 Bone 10 Animal bone Unknown Evidence of butchery

12 6 Bone 1 Animal tooth Unknown




CBM Modern

12 7 CBM 1 Orangish red roof

tile Modern 22mm thick, curved

12 7 CBM 4 Orangish red tile Modern 13-18mm thick





12 7 Glass 1 Clear curved glass Modern 2mm thick



12 7 Bone 2 Calcined bone Unknown


12 7 Metal 1 Fe object Modern Metal bar, 110x10mm


1995

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*BM – Building Material, CBM – Ceramic Building Material

**The following phasing is used in this report: Mesozoic (252-66 million years ago), Neolithic/Bronze Age (4000-700 BC), Iron Age

(700 BC-AD 43), Roman (AD 43-410), Saxon (AD 410-850), Saxo-Norman (AD 850-1100), High Medieval (AD 1100-1400), Late

Medieval (AD 1400-1550), Post-medieval (AD 1550-1850), Modern (AD 1850-present)

test-pit 12: 10 market place (sk 40582 03048) · at the bottom of the pit was a c.0.1m thick layer...

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