Archaeological Test Pit Excavations in Shefford, Bedfordshire, 2012 & 2014

Archaeological test pit excavations in Shefford, Bedfordshire, 2012 & 2014

Catherine Collins

2019

Access Cambridge Archaeology Department of Archaeology University of Cambridge Downing Street Cambridge CB2 3ER

01223 761519

[email protected]

http://www.access.arch.cam.ac.uk/

1 Introduction

A total of 19 1m2 archaeological test pits were excavated over a two-year period in 2012 and 2014 in the small town of Shefford in Bedfordshire and were excavated as part of the Higher Education Field Academy (HEFA) programme, run by Access Cambridge Archaeology (ACA) out of the University of Cambridge.

Shefford lies in the parish of Campton-cum-Shefford which contains the village of Campton as well as the market town of Shefford, and is arranged around the junction of the Bedford to Hitchin Road with the Ampthill Road/High Street, in the lowest-lying part of the parish. Shefford High Street takes the form of a wide linear market place, which lies at right angles to the Northbridge and Southbridge roads which run along the valley of the River Flit. The south end of Northbridge Street is also wide, suggesting use of this also for market trading. It is plausible that the area between this and Duck Lane to its west was formerly part of a larger rectangular open market place.

The earliest standing buildings in Shefford date to the 16th century but generally the town’s buildings are considered ‘in no way remarkable’. The parish church is located on the south side of the High Street and was until 1812 a chapel of ease for Campton Church. Shefford Church has been extensively rebuilt in 19th century. The oldest surviving structural element is the tower which dates to the first half of the fifteenth century. Windows in the nave are of 13th century style and may or may not imitate 13th century originals. Despite its apparent insignificance as a minor holding within a larger estate lacking its own church, Shefford had the right to hold a market from at least 1225. At this time, Shefford’s market was of sufficient size to be considered a threat to that at Bedford, although these allegations were successfully refuted on investigation. The market at Shefford may have benefited from the presence nearby of Chicksands Priory, which was part of the same estate in Domesday Book. The name Shefford derives from the Old English of ‘sceap’ or ‘sciep’ and ‘ford’ to likely mean ‘ford used for sheep’ and was recorded as Sepford in 1220.

1.1 Access Cambridge Archaeology

Access Cambridge Archaeology (ACA) (http://www.access.arch.cam.ac.uk/) is an archaeological outreach organisation based in the Department of Archaeology in the University of Cambridge, which aims to enhance economic, social and personal well-being through active engagement with archaeology. It was set up in 2004 and specialises in providing opportunities for members of the public to take part in purposeful, research- orientated archaeological investigations including excavation. Educational events and courses range in length from a few hours to a week or more and involve members of the public of all ages.

Since 2015, ACA has been managed by the Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) and thus have been able to work more closely with the unit to deliver outreach programmes such as the community excavations at Peterborough Cathedral in 2016, community test pitting activities in Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. The ACA and CAU collaboration has also enabled the continuation of the education outreach projects that involve work with both primary and secondary school pupils.

1.2 The Higher Education Field Academy (HEFA)

The Higher Education Field Academy (HEFA) programme aims to raise the aspirations, enthusiasm and attainment of 14-17 year-olds with regard to higher education by making a valuable contribution to current academic research at the University of Cambridge. The three- day learning-extension course has been run by Access Cambridge Archaeology (ACA) since 2005, aimed at UK students in state schools years 9, 10 and 12.

On HEFA, participants spend two days running their own small (1m2) archaeological excavation within living villages, with the aim of applying and developing a wide range of learning skills, boosting their academic confidence and giving them a taste of life and learning at university level. They make new discoveries for and about themselves, and, in the process, contribute to the university's currently occupied rural settlement (CORS) research into the development of rural communities and settlements in the past. The third day is spent in the University of Cambridge analysing the excavation results in discursive learning sessions which aim to engage and challenge participants, prepare them to produce a written analysis for assessment as well as provide an inspirational and positive experience of higher education. After the field academy, learners receive detailed individual feedback on their data collection, personal, learning and thinking skills developed during the fieldwork as well as their reporting and research skills exhibited in the written assignment, which will support applications to further and higher education.

2 Methodology

The two years of test pitting in Shefford was organised by ACA in conjunction with the Bedfordshire East Schools Trust (BEST) Archaeological Society. The excavation and records followed the standard Higher Education Field Academy (HEFA) instruction handbook and recording booklet.

The test pit digging takes place over two days, which begins with an initial talk explaining the aims of the excavation, the procedures used in digging and recording the test pit and the correct and safe use of equipment. Participants are then divided into teams of three or four individuals, and each team is provided with a complete set of test pit excavation equipment, copies of the instruction handbook and a record booklet to enter excavation data into.

The test pits were all 1m2 and the turf, if present, was removed in neat squares by hand. Each test pit was excavated in a series of 10cm spits or contexts, to a maximum depth of 1.2m. The horizontal surface of each context/spit was then drawn at 1:10 scale before excavation, a photograph taken and the colour of the soil recorded with reference to a standardised colour chart. A pro-forma recording system was used by participants to record their test pit excavation. This comprised a 16-page Test Pit Record booklet which was developed by ACA for use by people with no previous archaeological experience. Each pit and context is described and noted using the site code SHE/year, so SHE/12 for 2012 and SHE/14 for 2014.

During the excavation, 100% of the spoil is sieved through a 10mm mesh (with the occasional exception of very heavy clay soils which have to be hand-searched). All artefacts are retained, cleaned and bagged by context. Cut and built features are planned at 1:10 and excavated sequentially with latest deposits removed first. Pottery and most other finds are identified promptly by archaeological experts on site who visit the test pits regularly providing advice and checking that the excavation is being carried out and recorded to the required standard. Test pits are excavated down to natural or the maximum safe depth of 1.2m, whichever is encountered first. A minority of test pits will stop on encountering a feature, (ancient or modern) which archaeological staff deem inadvisable or impossible to remove, and occasionally excavation may cease at a level above natural due to time constraints. On completion of each test pit excavation, all four sections are drawn at 1:10 along with the unexcavated base of the test pit prior to backfilling by hand and the turf replaced neatly to restore the site.

After the two days of excavation are completed, the archaeological records and finds (all of which are kept and cleaned on site) are retained by ACA at the University of Cambridge for analysis, reporting, archiving and submission to HER’s, publication and ongoing research into the origins and development of rural settlement. Ownership of objects rests in the first instance with the landowner, except where other law overrides this (e.g. Treasure Act 1996, 2006, Burials Act 1857). ACA retain all finds in the short term for analysis and ideally also in the longer term in order that the excavation archives will be as complete as possible, but any requests to return finds to owners will be agreed.

3 Results of the test pitting in Shefford

The approximate locations of the 19 test pits excavated in Shefford between July 2012 and October 2014 can be seen in figure 1 below (please note that the test pits are not to scale). By year this breaks down to six pits excavated in 2012 and 13 that were excavated in 2014, all part of the University of Cambridge’s HEFA programme.

The data from each test pit is discussed in this section and set out in numerical order and by year. Most excavation was in spits measuring 10cm in depth, but in cases when a change in the character of deposits indicated a change in context, a new spit was started before 10cm.

Figure 1: The locations of the two years of test pitting in Shefford. Turquoise for 2012 and red for 2014 (NB test pits not to scale) © Crown Copyright/database right 2019. An Ordnance Survey/EDINA supplied service 1: 5,000

4 2012 Test Pits (site code SHE/12)

The 2012 test pit excavations in Shefford were undertaken over the 12th and 13th of July, where a total of six 1m2 archaeological test pits were excavated by 33 Year 8 and Year 12 pupils from Samuel Whitbread Academy, Robert Bloomfield Academy, Etonbury Academy and Henlow Academy (school names correct at the time of participation). The test pits were excavated as part of the Higher Education Field Academy (HEFA), run by ACA and funded by Cambridge Admissions Office out of the University of Cambridge with the BEST Archaeological Society, set up by Samuel Whitbread Academy teacher, Lee Thomas. The excavations were directed by Carenza Lewis, with onsite supervision provided by Catherine Collins and Clemency Cooper. Paul Blinkhorn analysed the pottery.

The test pits were mainly sited in the centre of the town and along the three roads leading to it, with one test pit also sited to the north of the River Flit. The test pit locations were found by Lee Thomas, of BEST Archaeological Society.

Figure 2: Shefford 2012 test pit location map (NB test pits not to scale) © Crown Copyright/database right 2019. An Ordnance Survey/EDINA supplied service 1: 5,000

Test Pit one (SHE/12/1)

Test pit one was excavated to the rear of a likely 19th century cottage fronting the main road from the east into the centre of the village (67 Clifton Road, Shefford. TL 514798 239012).

Test pit one was excavated to a depth of 1.2m, at which natural was found. Excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

The vast majority of the pottery excavated from SHE/12/1 dates to the 19th century and later as ‘Victorian’ wares, although an additional four sherds were also recovered.

GRE VIC TP Context No Wt No Wt Date Range 1 1 1 2 30 76 1550-1900 1 2 44 162 1800-1900 Figure 3: Location map of SHE/12/1 1 3 3 38 25 102 1550-1900 Table 1: The pottery excavated from SHE/12/1

The location of SHE/12/1 is outside the core focus of the original settlement which was along the three main roads through the village, the High Street, Northbridge Street and Southbridge Street. It seems likely that the site was fields with very little use, until firstly in the 16th century and more substantially when the cottages were built during the 19th century. The finds, like the pottery, were only recorded through the upper three contexts of the test pit and consist of slate, charcoal, plastic, snail and mussel shell, iron nails, glass, clay pipe, ceramic building material (CBM), metal buttons, tile and a metal rod.

Test Pit two (SHE/12/2)

Test pit two was excavated in the beer garden to the rear of a Grade II listed public house, dating to c.1600 and set close to the central crossroads in the town (The White Hart Hotel, 2 Northbridge Street, Shefford. TL 514418 239159).

Test pit two was excavated to a depth of 1.1m, at which natural was found. Excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

A wide range of pottery types were excavated from SHE/11/2, although the vast majority of the pot dates to the 19th century and later (table below). The medieval sherds consist of Early Figure 4: Location map of SHE/12/2 Medieval Sandy Ware, Hertfordshire Greyware, Brill Ware and Late medieval ware, whilst the post medieval wares include Glazed Red Earthenware, Midland Blackware, Staffordshire Slipware, English Stoneware, Staffordshire Manganese Ware and Staffordshire White Salt-Glazed Stoneware. A single sherd of Roman pottery was also recovered.

The single sherd of Roman pottery that was excavated from SHE/12/2 is the only evidence for Roman activity from all the test pits so far excavated in Shefford. The isolated find suggests that the site was likely fields in the Roman period and probably peripheral to a nearby Roman settlement. The central location of the test pit within the town has probably always been central to the settlement and there is evidence for medieval settlement on site prior to the construction of the current building in about 1600. A great deal of later disturbances were however also noted, particularly during the 19th century and after, with a mix of later finds and pottery identified. The finds consist of tile, slate, clay pipe, CBM, aluminium, glass, iron nails, charcoal, a metal pipe fragment, oyster, mussel and snail shell.

RB EMW HG BB LMT GRE MB SS EST SMW SWSG VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 2 1 4 109 1 8 19 70 1550-1900 2 2 10 53 1800-1900 2 3 1 7 2 8 16 75 1550-1900 2 4 1 30 1 2 10 20 1400-1900 2 5 2 23 2 3 14 24 1550-1900 2 6 2 9 1 2 3 14 4 14 1150-1900 2 7 3 48 7 125 2 43 1 27 1 2 2 8 1100-1900 2 8 1 6 6 53 1 5 1100-1400 2 9 1 4 1 10 4 33 100-1400 Table 2: The pottery excavated from SHE/12/2

Test Pit three (SHE/12/3)

Test pit three was excavated on the edge of a grassed field, immediately behind the extent of a 16th century Grade II listed building, fronting the main road close to the centre of the village (Barclays Bank, 6 Northbridge Street, Shefford. TL 514412 239188).

Test pit three was excavated to a depth of 10.5m, with half the test pit further excavated to 0.6m. Natural was not found, but due to time constraints, excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled. Figure 5: Location of SHE/12/3

All the pottery excavated from SHE/12/3 dates to the 16th century and later, consisting of a few sherds of both Glazed Red Earthenware and Staffordshire Manganese Ware. The vast majority of the pottery identified from the test pit however dates to the 19th century and later.

GRE SMW VIC TP Context No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 3 3 9 13 1800-1900 3 4 2 14 1 1 15 150 1550-1900 3 5 8 26 1800-1900 3 6 1 18 1 1 1550-1900 Table 3: The pottery excavated from SHE/12/3

Despite the location of SHE/12/3 close to the centre of the town, there is no evidence for any occupation on site until after the current buildings were constructed during the 16th century. There were also then additional disturbances during the 19th century and later, which is also the date of the majority of the finds also recovered. These consist of a modern plastic cigarette lighter, a modern one penny coin, tile, CBM, a rubber clasp, slate, fragments of Perspex, a rubber seal, pieces of fabric, charcoal, clay pipe, pieces of scrap metal and oyster shell.

Test Pit four (SHE/12/4)

Test pit four was excavated in the enclosed grassed garden of a Grade II later 18th century building situated immediately north of the river and on the main road into the town from the north (Bangkok Lounge Thai Restaurant, 2 Bedford Road, Shefford. TL 514368 239358).

Test pit four was excavated to a depth of 0.6m, at which the water table was encountered. Excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

All the pottery excavated from SHE/12/4 dates to the 16th century and later with a mix of Glazed Figure 67:: LocationLocation mapmap ofof SHE/12/4SHE/12/4 Red Earthenware, Staffordshire White Salt- Glazed Stoneware and 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares all recovered.

GRE SWSG VIC TP Context No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 4 1 5 77 55 370 1550-1900 4 2 3 46 14 58 1550-1900 4 3 3 37 24 91 1550-1900 4 4 1 34 1550-1600 4 5 2 13 1 5 1550-1900 4 6 1 5 1 1 1720-1900 Table 4: The pottery excavated from SHE/12/4

Potentially as SHE/12/4 was situated north of the river and away from the original town centre, it may be why there is no evidence for activity prior to the 16th century, identified on site and was only settled during the growth of the village at that time. A mix of later finds and pottery have also been recorded from the test pit, suggesting a lot of disturbances from the 19th century onwards and likely also when the current restaurant was built. These consist of slate, clay pipe, and charcoal, ring pulls from drinks cans, glass, iron nails, foil, tile, CBM, mortar, plastic, pieces of scrap metal, a metal bracket and wire. Additional possible flint flakes may also indicate later prehistoric activity on site, although analysis of the lithics would be needed to prove this.

Test Pit five (SHE/12/5)

Test pit five was excavated in the open grassland to the rear of the Grade II listed 14th century parish church, between the playground and The Cornerstone public house. (Parish Church of St Michael and All Angels, High Street, Shefford. TL 514387 239072).

Test pit five was excavated to a depth of 0.6m, at which the water table was encountered. Excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

All the pottery excavated from SHE/12/5 dates to the 16th century and later with a few sherds of both Glazed Red Earthenware and Metropolitan Slipware identified. The majority of the pottery Figure 8: Location map of SHE/12/5 found however dates as 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares.

GRE HSW VIC TP Context No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 5 1 12 48 1800-1900 5 2 1 8 17 68 1600-1900 5 3 12 53 1800-1900 5 4 1 1 17 35 1550-1900 5 5 & 6 1 4 21 83 1550-1900 Table 5: The pottery excavated from SHE/12/5

Despite the location of SHE/12/5 behind a 14th century church, there is very little evidence for activity on site prior to the 19th century, potentially as the land around the church was developed. A likely cobble and brick surface was excavated at about 0.3m in depth, but given these later disturbances it is likely that it dates from the 19th century. A large mix of finds were also recovered from the test pit, consisting of glass, nails and screws, central cores of batteries, concrete, plastic, slate, coal, a metal washer, clay pipe, a one penny coin dated 1905, mussel and oyster shell, tarmac, mortar, tile, CBM, a metal button and slag, suggestive of metal working on or close to site. The presence of two pieces of burnt stone may also be an indication of later prehistoric activity on site, although analysis of the lithics would be needed to confirm this.

Test Pit six (SHE/12/6)

Test pit six was excavated in the small enclosed rear garden of a modern building set back from the High Street in the west of the town and to the rear of The Bridge public house (Cathy’s Bloomers Flower and Events, Unit 1, 44 High Street, Shefford. TL 514205 239077).

Test pit six was excavated to a depth of 0.13m, when a slab of concrete was encountered. The southern half of the test pit was then excavated to 0.7m. Natural was not found, but due to time constraints, excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

The vast majority of the pottery excavated from SHE/12/6 dates as 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares, although single sherds of Early Medieval Sandy Ware, Hertfordshire Greyware, Glazed Red Earthenware and Metropolitan Figure 9: Location map of SHE/12/6 Slipware were all also recorded.

EMW HG GRE HSW VIC TP Context No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 6 1 24 29 1800-1900 6 2 1 7 6 16 1150-1900 6 3 30 75 1800-1900 6 4 1 2 1 5 1 3 27 106 1100-1900 6 6 2 6 1800-1900 Table 6: The pottery excavated from SHE/12/6

A concrete slab was recorded just under the turf at about 0.1m in depth across the northern edge of the test pit, so only ¾ of the pit was able to be fully excavated. As well as the concrete there seems to have been a great deal of disturbance evident on site, particularly from the 19th century and later as a mix of later finds and pottery were all recovered. These consist of tile, CBM, iron nails, a plastic wrapper, fragments of floor lino, glass, modern screws, coal, mortar, plaster, a metal door knob, clay pipe, modern brick, oyster shell, slate, a possible fragment of lava stone quern and a piece of slag, suggestive of metal working on or close to site. The limited medieval and post medieval activity also recorded from the test pit suggests that the site was peripheral to the core of settlement until the last 200 years or so.

5 2014 Test Pits (site code SHE/14)

The 2014 test pit excavations in Shefford were undertaken over the 8th and 9th of October, where a total of 13 1m2 archaeological test pits were excavated by 64 Year 8 pupils from Etonbury Academy, Henlow Academy and Robert Bloomfield Academy, (school names correct at the time of participation). The test pits were excavated as part of the Higher Education Field Academy (HEFA), run by ACA and funded by Cambridge Admissions Office out of the University of Cambridge with the BEST Archaeological Society. The excavations were directed by Carenza Lewis with onsite supervision provided by Catherine Collins, Clemency Cooper and Paul Blinkhorn, who also analysed the pottery.

These test pits followed on from the 2012 test pitting in the town to bring the total excavated there to 19 and were sited in the centre of the town, extending mainly eastwards, with a couple also excavated further to the north. The test pit locations were found by Lee Thomas, chair of BEST Archaeological Society.

Table 7: Shefford 2014 test pit location map (NB test pits not to scale) © Crown Copyright/database right 2019. An Ordnance Survey/EDINA supplied service 1: 5,000

Test Pit one (SHE/14/1)

Test pit one was excavated in the open front garden of a modern house set back from the road close to the centre of the town and also backing on to the river to the west. It was also the eastern of two test pits excavated on the property; see also SHE/14/2 (4 Clifton Road, Shefford. TL 14516 39013).

Test pit one was excavated to a depth of 0.6m, at which natural was found. Excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

Two sherds of Glazed Red Earthenware pottery were only recorded from context five of SHE/14/1.

GRE TP Cntxt No Wt Date Range 1 5 2 9 1550-1600 Table 8: The pottery excavated from SHE/14/1

The large amount of relatively modern finds that were recorded from SHE/14/1 suggests that the site has had little in the way of activity until the current housing estate was built. The limited pre-modern pottery also found suggests Figure 10: Location map of SHE/14/1 that even prior to the construction of the house the site was most likely open fields just outside the core of the medieval town, as identified through the test pitting strategy. The finds excavated consist of brick, tile, CBM, modern tile, scraps of folded lead, glass, coal, cement, fragments of tarmac and concrete, metal wire, slate and asbestos.

Test Pit two (SHE/14/2)

Test pit two was excavated in the encloses rear garden of a modern house set back from the road close to the centre of the town and also backing on to the river to the west. It was also the western of two test pits excavated on the property; see also SHE/14/1 (4 Clifton Road, Shefford. TL14503 39026).

Test pit two was excavated to a depth of 0.5m. Natural was not found, but due to time constraints, excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

The vast majority of the pottery recorded from SHE/14/2 dates as 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares. Single post medieval sherds were also identified as Glazed Red Earthenware and as Delft Ware.

Figure 11: Location map of SHE/14/2 GRE DW VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 2 1 1 1 1 2 1550-1900 2 3 19 165 1800-1900 2 4 1 1 18 155 1600-1900 Table 9: The pottery excavated from SHE/14/2

The site of SHE/14/2 to the rear of the property has shown that there was a lot less disturbance during the construction of the current house, compared to SHE/14/1 in the front garden. The presence of a large amount of Victorian pottery may be as a result of the fewer modern disturbances and suggests that there was quite a bit of activity on site during the 19th century, as indicated by the presence of buildings on the historic map. The limited post medieval remains again suggest that there was very little activity at that time here, perhaps the site was open fields and outside the original medieval town. The finds recorded consist of CBM, slate, coal, tarmac, oyster shell, glass, concrete, mortar, a metal rod, clay pipe and a smiley face sticker.

Test Pit three (SHE/14/3)

Test pit three was excavated towards the rear boundary of a Grade II listed 17th century house set along the High Street in the centre of the town. It was the western of two pits to be excavated in this area; see also SHE/14/4 (The Tudor House, 38 High Street, Shefford. TL 14230 39083).

Test pit three was excavated to a depth of 0.7m. Natural was not found, but due to time constraints, excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

All the pottery excavated from SHE/14/3 dates from the mid-16th century and later with small amounts of Glazed Red Earthenware, Midland Blackware and Staffordshire Manganese Ware all identified. The vast majority of the overall pottery found however dates as 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares and were found mixed through the test pit.

Figure 12: Location map of SHE/14/3

GRE MB SMW VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 3 1 10 73 1800-1900 3 2 1 4 1 4 21 75 1550-1900 3 3 23 171 1800-1900 3 4 19 89 1800-1900 3 6 1 11 1 3 21 83 1550-1900 3 7 10 33 1800-1900 Table 10: The pottery excavated from SHE/14/3

Despite the proximity of the site of SHE/14/3 close to the town centre there is little in the way for evidence of activity on site prior to the construction of the current house during the 17th century. The peak of activity seems to have been during the 19th century and later when there was a lot of disturbance on site as quantities of rubbish seem to have been deposited here given the range of finds recovered. These consist of fragments of modern drain, tile, CBM clay pipe, glass, a metal bolt, coal, slate, a metal key hole cover, mortar, oyster shell, plaster, slag, a metal button, a metal hoop, brick and part of a horseshoe.

Test Pit four (SHE/14/4)

Test pit four was excavated towards the rear boundary of a Grade II listed 17th century house set along the High Street in the centre of the town. It was the eastern of two pits to be excavated in this area; see also SHE/14/3 (The Tudor House, 38 High Street, Shefford. TL 14240 39088).

Test pit four was excavated to a depth of 0.7m. Natural was not found, but due to time constraints, excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

The vast majority of the pottery recorded from SHE/14/4 dates as 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares. These were mixed through the test pit with two sherds of post medieval Delft Ware.

DW VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt Date Range 4 1 6 60 1800-1900 4 2 20 56 1800-1900 4 3 1 1 14 22 1600-1900 4 4 16 30 1800-1900 Figure 13: Location map of SHE/14/4 4 5 4 8 1800-1900 4 7 1 4 6 9 1600-1900 Table 11: The pottery excavated from SHE/14/4

The results from SHE/14/4 are similar to those found from SHE/14/3 just to the west in that there is no evidence for activity on site prior to the construction of the current house during the 17th century. Again the peak of activity was during the 19th century, when it was likely that this whole rear part of the garden was utilised for the disposal of rubbish. The finds recorded consist of slate, glass, CBM, cement, mortar, modern bolts, coal, clay pipe, fragments of brick, oyster shell, iron nails, tile, a possible metal candle snuffer and a number of pieces of slag that were found from the lower excavated contexts of the test pit.

Test Pit five (SHE/14/5)

Test pit five was excavated in the enclosed rear garden of a modern house set to the east of the River Hit, just south of where the river joins the River Ivel, close to the centre of the town. It was also the western of two pits excavated within the property; see also SHE/14/6 (6 Ivedale Drive, Shefford. TL 14599 39153).

Test pit five was excavated to a depth of 0.7. Natural was not found, but due to time constraints, excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

The majority of the pottery excavated from Figure 14: Location map of SHE/14/5 SHE/14/5 dates as 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares, although a single sherd of Glazed Red Earthenware was also recorded from the upper contexts with a small amount of Early Medieval Sandy Ware pottery.

EMW GRE VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 5 2 2 22 1 20 6 6 1100-1900 5 3 2 4 1800-1900 5 4 6 7 1800-1900 5 5 2 14 1100-1200 Table 12: The pottery excavated from SHE/14/5

The medieval pottery that was recorded from SHE/14/5 may point to occupation on site, particularly as further medieval pottery was also recorded from SHE/15/6 in the front garden. This was the north eastern limit to the medieval pottery that has so far been recorded in Shefford through the test pitting strategy, so may have been marginal to the medieval town, but does also show that the settlement was established on both sides of the River Hit. The small amount of post medieval and later pottery suggests that the site had likely been open fields up until the time that the current estate was built during the 20th century, as is from when the majority of the finds also date. These have been recorded as pieces of plastic clothes pegs, CBM, coal, mortar, tile, clay pipe, orange, fragments of modern drain, glass, iron nails, silver foil, pieces of scrap metal, slag, oyster and snail shell and pieces of plastic.

Test Pit six (SHE/14/6)

Test pit six was excavated in the open front garden of a modern house set to the east of the River Hit, just south of where the river joins the River Ivel, close to the centre of the town. It was also the eastern of two pits excavated within the property; see also SHE/14/5 (6 Ivedale Drive, Shefford. TL 14622 39144)

Test pit six was excavated to a depth of 0.6m. Natural was not found, but due to time constraints, excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

A very small amount of pottery was recorded from SHE/14/6, all of which were found from Figure 15: Location map of SHE/14/6 contexts three and five. The wares identified consist of Early Medieval Sandy Ware, Brill/Boarstall Ware, Glazed Red Earthenware and as 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares.

EMW BB GRE VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 6 3 1 4 1550-1600 6 5 2 4 1 5 4 4 1100-1900 Table 13: The pottery excavated from SHE/14/6

Similarly to the results from SHE/15/5 to the rear of the property, the finds and pottery that were excavated from SHE/15/6 suggest the presence of medieval activity on site, potentially as part of the north eastern limit of the town at that time, as discussed above. The site was likely left as open fields through the post medieval and later until the current housing estate was built during the 20th century, from which the majority of the finds also seem to date to. These have been recorded as iron nails and bolts, a small bullet, concrete, CBM, slate, mortar, fragments of lino, coal, modern CBM and brick, tile, pieces of modern drain, clay pipe and metal wire.

Test Pit seven (SHE/14/7)

Test pit seven was excavated in the enclosed rear garden of a modern end of terrace house set in the far north of the town (30 Great Hill, Shefford. TL 14203 39705).

Test pit seven was excavated to a depth of 0.4m. Natural was not found, but due to time constraints, excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

A single sherd of English Stoneware pottery was excavated from context two of SHE/14/7 that was also mixed in with a small amount of 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares.

EST VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt Date Range 7 2 1 4 2 23 1680-1900 7 4 1 2 1800-1900 Table 14: The pottery excavated from SHE/14/7 Figure 16: Location map of SHE/14/7

The four sherds of 17th – 19th century pottery that were recorded from SHE/14/7 suggest that there was little in the way of activity on site prior to the construction of modern housing estate during the 20th century. The early pottery may relate to manuring of the fields, whereas the rest of the finds likely relate to the construction of the modern house and have been recorded as iron nails, metal wire, slag, a metal heart shaped tag, tile, glass and CBM.

Test Pit eight (SHE/14/8)

Test pit eight was excavated in the enclosed rear garden of a modern house set along the main road out of the town to the south-east. It was the eastern of two test pits excavated here; see also SHE/14/9 (2 Hitchin Road, Shefford. TL 14814 38895).

Test pit eight was excavated to a depth of 0.72m. Natural was not found, but due to time constraints, excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

Twenty five sherds of 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares were only recorded through SHE/14/8.

VIC TP Cntxt No Wt Date Range 8 2 6 72 1800-1900 8 4 9 59 1800-1900 8 6 10 56 1800-1900 Table 15: The pottery excavated from SHE/14/8

The lack of pre-19th century finds that were recorded Figure 17: Location map of SHE/14/8 from SHE/14/8 suggests that the site was likely beyond the extent of both the medieval and post medieval town limits and only gradually became utilised during the 19th century and later as the town expanded. The finds that were also recorded consist of slate, coal, mortar, slag, glass, clay pipe, CBM, a one penny coin (date unknown), fragments of modern drain, iron nails, oyster shell, plastic wire cover, fragments of plastic and modern nails.

Test Pit nine (SHE/14/9)

Test pit nine was excavated in the enclosed rear garden of a modern house set along the main road out of the town to the south-east. It was the western of two test pits excavated here; see also SHE/14/8 (2 Hitchin Road, Shefford. TL 14804 38897).

Test pit nine was excavated to a depth of 0.6m. Natural was not found, but due to time constraints, excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

The vast majority of the pottery excavated from SHE/14/9 dates as 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares. An additional two sherds of post medieval Glazed Red Earthenware were also recorded from the lower half of the test pit.

GRE VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt Date Range 9 1 4 6 1800-1900 9 2 1 1 1800-1900 9 3 1 12 1800-1900 Figure 18: Location map of SHE/14/9 9 4 1 3 5 83 1550-1900 9 5 7 51 1800-1900 9 6 1 28 1550-1600 Table 16: The pottery excavated from SHE/14/9

The results from SHE/14/9 are very similar to those excavated from SHE/14/8 just to the east, where the majority of the finds date from the 19th century and later. There was however evidence for additional activity during the 16th century, although perhaps still as open fields given its distance from the town centre. The mix of later finds consist of tile, CBM cement, iron nails, glass, coal, slate, plaster, brick, clay pipe, a strip of metal, fragments of modern sewer rain, slag and lumps of lead.

Test Pit 10 (SHE/14/10)

Test pit 10 was excavated on open grassland to the north of a set of late 20th century flats overlooking the River Ivel Navigation. It was also the eastern of two test pit excavated along the river edge; see also SHE/14/11 (The Wharf, Northbridge Street, Shefford. TL 14379 39324).

Test pit 10 was excavated to a depth of between 0.6m and 0.65m. Natural was not found, but due to time constraints excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled. Figure 19: Location map of SHE/14/10 A single sherd of Glazed Red Earthenware pottery was recorded from the lower context of SHE/14/10, although the rest of the pottery recorded dates as 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares.

GRE VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt Date Range 10 1 5 10 1800-1900 10 2 4 9 1800-1900 10 3 1 8 1800-1900 10 4 40 131 1800-1900 10 5 9 14 1800-1900 10 6 1 9 10 14 1550-1900 Table 17: The pottery excavated from SHE/14/10

Despite the location of the test pit alongside the river, the vast majority of the pottery and finds date from when the site was utilised as a wharf, as illustrated in 19th century maps and was certainly the peak of activity on site at that time. Limited pre-19th century activity was also noted in the lower excavated contexts of the test pit, so does suggest that there may be older material at a greater depth. The majority of the finds also relate to the construction of the modern flats and likely also the destruction of the wharf and have been recorded as slate, coal, CBM, fragments of modern drain, clay pipe, glass, oyster shell, slag, mortar, tarmac, concrete, asbestos, pieces of plastic a two pence coin dated 1979, asbestos, iron nails, pieces of scrap metal, tile, a large metal buckle, modern brick and tile, the base of a metal can and a degraded rubber racket handle.

Test Pit 11 (SHE/14/11)

Test pit 11 was excavated on open grassland to the north of a set of late 20th century flats overlooking the River Ivel Navigation. The test pit was the western of two excavated along the river edge and also the closest one to the main road through the town; see also SHE/14/10 (The Wharf, Northbridge Street, Shefford TL 14347 39313).

Test pit 11 was excavated to a depth of 0.6m. Natural was not found, but due to time constraints, excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was Figure 20: Location map of SHE/14/11 recorded and backfilled.

The majority of the pottery excavated from SHE/14/11 dates as 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares, although single sherds of both Early Medieval Sandy Ware and Glazed Red Earthenware were both also recorded from the test pit.

EMW GRE VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 11 1 3 8 1800-1900 11 2 1 53 1100-1200 11 4 3 24 1800-1900 11 5 1 246 10 69 1550-1900 Table 18: The pottery excavated from SHE/14/11

Despite the presence of a pipe that was recorded along the southern side of the test pit from 0.3m in depth, the results from SHE/14/11 suggest that there has been fewer disturbances along this side of the wharf compared to SHE/14/10 further to the east, particularly during the 19th century when the site was utilised as a wharf. This may be due to its location closer to the road, although there are still a number of later finds that appear to have been spread across the grass adjacent to the river, most likely when the modern flats were built. The finds consist of tile, CBM, fragments of modern drain, slate, a half penny coin dated 1945, a metal button, iron nails, glass, coal, mortar, concrete, oyster shell, part of a metal county council sign, pieces of scrap metal, oyster shell, a metal key hole type cover, metal wire, plastic buttons, tarmac and metal wire. The presence of single sherds of both medieval and post medieval pottery also suggest that there may have been limited use on site from the 12th century.

Test Pit 12 (SHE/14/12)

Test pit 12 was excavated in the enclosed side rough garden area to the west of a modern house set back from the main road to Clifton in the east of the town. It was also the northern of two test pits to be excavated here; see also SHE/14/13 (132 Clifton Road, Shefford. TL 15191 38958).

Test pit 12 was excavated to a depth of 0.8m. Natural was not found, but due to time constraints, excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

A very large amount of 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares were recorded from SHE/14/12, which was also identified through all the contexts. A small number of post medieval sherds were also recorded as Glazed Red Earthenware, Staffordshire Slipware and Staffordshire Manganese Ware.

Figure 21: Location map of SHE/14/12 GRE SS SMW VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 12 1 1 22 1 5 96 288 1550-1900 12 2 1 5 44 114 1650-1900 12 3 1 8 53 163 1550-1900 12 4 53 161 1800-1900 12 5 1 67 21 73 1800-1900 12 6 66 290 1800-1900 12 7 43 100 1800-1900 12 8 18 100 1800-1900 Table 19: The pottery excavated from SHE/14/12

The results from both the test pits that were excavated on the property show a peak of activity during the 19th century and later, the map of that date illustrates a number of houses along the main road here and a discreet cluster of houses to the east of the main town. The small amounts of post medieval pottery that were also recorded may be related to manuring of the fields or there may have been limited activity on site at that time. The mix of finds recorded date to the 19th century and later and were mixed through the test pit and recorded as pieces of scrap metal including part of a copper pipe, a metal blade, metal wire, modern nails and screws, iron nails, glass, coal, slate, a metal key, CBM, a battery core, oyster and cockle shell, pieces of plastic, clay pipe, slate pencils, pieces of Perspex, a metal hoop, tile and fragments of breeze block.

Test Pit 13 (SHE/14/13)

Test pit 13 was excavated in the enclosed side rough garden area to the west of a modern house set back from the main road to Clifton in the east of the town. It was also the southern of two test pits to be excavated here; see also SHE/14/12 (132 Clifton Road, Shefford. TL 15192 38852).

Test pit 13 was excavated to a depth of 0.7m. Natural was not found, but due to time constraints, excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

The vast majority of the pottery excavated from SHE/14/13 dates as 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares. A single sherd of English Stoneware was also recorded from context three.

EST VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt Date Range 13 1 28 121 1800-1900 13 2 4 7 1800-1900 13 3 1 8 62 185 1680-1900 13 4 17 56 1800-1900 13 5 55 144 1800-1900 Figure 22: Location map of SHE/14/13 13 6 90 284 1800-1900 13 7 31 200 1800-1900 13 8 17 70 1800-1900 Table 20: The pottery excavated from SHE/14/13

Much like the results that were excavated from the northern of the two test pits here, SHE/14/12, the finds and pottery recorded from SHE/14/13 date mainly from the 19th century and later, with only limited post medieval activity also identified. A large mix of finds were again found through the test pit, consisting of an iron shaped piece of metal, glass, oyster shell, clay pipe, slate, modern nails and screws, metal tacks, pieces of scrap metal, a metal hook, CBM, asbestos, melted glass, a Lego brick, iron nails, part of a metal hinge, a metal button, a complete jar of Bovril, part of a possible early compass disc and a possible bone domino piece.

6 Conclusions

The 19 archaeological test pits that were excavated in Shefford in 2012 and 2014 have yielded archaeological evidence for settlement in the parish dating from the Roman period through to the modern day. All the test pit results have also added to the ‘bigger picture’ of the development of Shefford, as well as providing new insight into the level of archaeological remains that are still present under the town.

A single small sherd of Romano-British pottery was only found from one test pit, SHE/12/2, sited in the centre of the town now and just west of the river. This likely indicates some sort of contemporary activity in the vicinity, although it may have been from agricultural activities such as manuring, as it was likely residual in a high medieval deposit. No Anglo-Saxon pottery was found from any of the 19 test pits, and as Shefford was not recorded in the Domesday Book, this may suggest that there was little in the way of activity here, until after the Norman Conquest.

Evidence for medieval activity in Shefford derived from five centrally located test pits that produced high medieval pottery. These were sited onto the wide market places of the High Street and the southern end of Northbridge Street (SHE/12/6, SHE/12/2, SHE/14/11, SHE/14/5 and SHE/14/6). SHE/12/2 in particular produced considerable quantities (24 sherds) of high medieval pottery, clearly indicative of settlement in the immediate vicinity that was also seen to spread east and north of the crossroads as well as closer to the confluence of the Rivers Ivel and Flit, with high medieval pottery identified from both sides of the river. Into the later medieval, these sites were all abandoned, apart from the SHE/12/2, located at the site of the modern crossroads and yielded several later medieval pottery sherds. The various socio- economic upheavals of the 14th century, including the Black Death, likely contributed to a contraction of the settlement here, although the amount of pottery found cannot be related to population figures at that time, it is likely that Shefford suffered at least a shift in the settlement at this time.

The test pitting results do suggest however that the settlement recovered quite quickly through the post medieval, particularly as all but one of the test pits (SHE/14/8) produced pottery of this date. The settlement likely expanded outwards from its medieval core at the crossroads, along three main roads, Northbridge Street, Southbridge Street and the High Street, which still form the core of the town today.

7 Maps

Much of the value of the test pit data from currently occupied rural settlements are derived from a holistic consideration across the entire settlement. Maps showing a range of the data from the test pit excavations in Shefford between 2012 and 2014 are included below.

Figure 23: The Romano-British pottery distribution from the Shefford test pits (NB test pits are not to scale). © Crown Copyright/database right 2019. An Ordnance Survey/EDINA supplied service 1: 7,500

Figure 27: The 19th century and later pottery distribution from the Shefford test pits (NB test pits are not to scale). © Crown Copyright/database right 2019. An Ordnance Survey/EDINA supplied service 1: 7,500