Monument record 1298/0/1 - Saxon settlement at Tatton village

The evidence from archaeological investigations at Tatton Old Hall between 1978 and 1988 comprised a number of features of a generally post Roman date. The features consisted of pit group P16-P19 and pit group P32-35. In each group, the larger two pits displayed evidence of stake holes around the edge of a flat base and may have been used as storage pits while the smaller pits appeared more like quarry or extractive pits. An isolated pit (P38) was also identified in the extreme southwest corner of the excavations, the primary fill of which returned a radiocarbon date of cal AD 20-540 (HAR-5150). (3)

Evidence of a 35m long palisade trench (Palisade IIi) was also encountered running on an east-west alignment immediately to the north of pit group P16-P19. The construction cut consisted of a shallow, steep sided and flat bottomed profile approximately 0.2m-0.5m wide. The palisade turned north for an overall distance of approximately 17m in a discontinuous way and appeared to enclose an area that contained a structure (Building J) and a large cobbled area. A second structure (Building C) lay outside the enclosure. Two possible entrance features were identified by the author, the first lay in the extreme southeast corner of the excavations and appeared to mark a 1m wide entrance laid with thick cobbling; however, there was no clear relationship to the other Saxon features. A second entrance to the northwest was also suggested, consisting of a sunken cobbled path. Radiocarbon dating from the cobbling indicated a date of cal AD140-600 (HAR-5715). Within the enclosure there was a large area of cobbling with a number of small pits containing some animal bone cutting it. (3)

Building C was located in the northwest part of the site outside the enclosure and may have pre-dated it. The building was aligned approximately northeast to southwest and its eastern wall was continuous with the palisade enclosure. Approximately 6m and 2.2-2.4m wide it included at least one internal division and consisted of construction trenches with regularly spaced post holes. A further palisade trench was extended over Building C following it’s demolition. (3)

Building J consisted of a long-house within the main enclosure. The building was first identified by two parallel construction trenches 4.6-6.5m apart, aligned northwest to southeast and at least 24m long. Originally thought to have been earlier, three radiocarbon dates from the trenches suggested a period of use at sometime between AD 300-600. (3)

To the southwest of the building, a trampled area was interpreted as a threshing floor. Measuring 3-4m across it was associated with a number of unenclosed hearths, the dating of which produced an anomalous date of 5325-4900 cal BC. The interpretation of this feature is therefore problematic: it may be prehistoric (see CHER 1294) or it may be the result of burning of material from the nearby mere. (3)

A fragment of clay loomweight of mid- to late-Saxon type had been re-used in the same cobbling as the smaller of the two rotary quern fragments, adjacent to a large, steep-sided and urine stained but find-free pit. (3)

<1> County Historic Environment Record, 1973-1985, Cheshire Archaeological Bulletin, 4/7-10 Williams S R 1976 (Journal/Periodical). SCH565.

<2> Higham N J & Aylett P, 1990, A Short History of Tatton, p.2-3 (Booklet-Leaflet). SCH4950.

<3> Higham N.J, Cane T., 1997, The Tatton Park Project, Part 1: Prehistoric to Sub-Roman Settlement and Land Use. JCAS, p.46-48 (Article in Journal). SCH4939.

<4> Higham N.J, 1999, The Tatton Park Project, Part 2: The Medieval Estates, Settlements and Halls.JCAS, p.86 (Article in Journal). SCH4937.

<5> Higham N J, 1984, Excavations at Tatton - 7th Season interim report, /3-5 (Unpublished Report). SCH7421.

<6> Higham N J, 1985, Excavations at Tatton - 8th Season 1985, /3-5 (Unpublished Report). SCH1198.

<7a> English Heritage, Various, Old/Original Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Description), 30362 (Scheduling Record). SCH4606.

<7b> English Heritage, Various, Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Amendment), 30362 (Scheduling Record). SCH2950.

<8> Various, Aerial photographs, Higham N J & Williams S R 1979 NJH 3504/10,11,13,14,15 & SRW Tatton 2 (Aerial Photograph). SCH128.

<9> County Historic Environment Record, 1973-1985, Cheshire Archaeological Bulletin, 9/88-97 Higham N J 1983 (Journal/Periodical). SCH565.

<10> County Historic Environment Record, 1973-1985, Cheshire Archaeological Bulletin, 10/75-82 Higham N J 1984 (Journal/Periodical). SCH565.