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Summary

Evidence for the medieval development of Dunstable since the 1100's, has been seen in a number of excavations that have occurred across the town.

Full Description

Dunstable has its origins mainly in the 12th century when after 1100AD Henry I began to develop the settlement as a market Town. The parish boundaries to the N and E are straightish and form rectangular areas containing the burgage plots. They are thought to have been boundaries when the town was created out of the land of Houghton Regis, the irregular SW side appears to follow the furlong boundaries with Kensworth.

Excavations of a variety of types have occurred within the Town, mainly between 1998 and 2005. A watching brief for a pipeline only produced medieval and post medieval finds. When the Millennium Clock was being constructed medieval remains were found in the form of a flint surface, which had a distinct lack of ruts, possibly due to the presence of stalls, above this was another flint layer of medieval date. Another watching brief took place at 26 Burr Street which produced modern features and 3 sherds of medieval pottery.

Trial excavations at Ashton St Peters Junior School in 2000 revealed features of a Roman and high Medieval date. The excavations showed that the land was mainly used from the early to post medieval periods, activity had occurred on site from the Iron Age and Roman period but there was no Saxon evidence to allow for the continuation of the settlement. The main activity was from the 11th to 13th century and indicated domestic use, with quarry pits seen in 1 trench. Medieval activity was mainly associated to the rear of the burgage plots but no structural evidence was recovered.
Expansion of the Magistrates Court on Kingsway, which is located near to the Roman Road of Watling Street and the prehistoric route way called Icknield Way, required archaeological investigations to be carried out. No remains were found due to heavy ground disturbance, which is believed to be associated with the construction of the Magistrates Court. Limited work also took place at 77B High Street South where a medieval ditch was uncovered, and a 65-75 High Street South a watching brief recovered several pit like features and pieces of worked stone.

Protected Status: None recorded

Monument Types

• PIT (Roman/Romano-British - 43 AD to 409 AD)
• COBBLED ROAD (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• DITCH (Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD to 1900 AD)
• PIT (Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD to 1900 AD)
• TOWN (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• POST HOLE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
• WALL (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Associated Finds

• FBD5766 - POT (Small quantity) (Late Iron Age to Roman/Romano-British - 100 BC to 409 AD)
• FBD4802 - ANIMAL REMAINS (Small quantity) (Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD to 1900 AD)
• FBD5765 - RIM SHERD (Medium quantity) (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• FBD4803 - SLAG (Medium quantity) (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• FBD7097 - TILE (Small quantity) (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• FBD7099 - NAIL (Small quantity) (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
• FBD4804 - PATTEN (1) (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
• FBD5768 - SHERD (Small quantity) (17th Century to 19th Century - 1600 AD to 1899 AD)
• FBD4805 - CLAY PIPE (SMOKING) (Small quantity) (18th Century to 19th Century - 1700 AD to 1899 AD)
• FBD7098 - WINE BOTTLE (Small quantity) (18th Century - 1700 AD to 1799 AD)

Associated Events

• EBD109 - Dunstable Magistrates' Court, Kingsway, Dunstable; Archaeological Watching Brief (Ref: 2004/43)
• EBD110 - Ashton St Peter's Lower School, Church Street, Dunstable; Archaeological Evaluation Report (Ref: 2402)

Sources and Further Reading

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.