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| HER Number: | MSH648 |
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| Type of Record: | Monument element |
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| Name: | Maddison Street (West Side) - Early Smithing Evidence |
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| Grid Reference: | SU 4188 1150 |
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| Map: | Show location on Streetmap |
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Summary
Evidence for an early blacksmith's workshop was found during an excavation on the west side of Maddison Street in 1980/1981 (SOU 29). Deposits in one phase were interpreted as the remains of a post-built structure and a screen or "fence" around at least one smithing hearth, and artefacts associated with iron smithing were found. The deposits could not be securely dated using the small amounts of pottery found. However radiocarbon dating of a piece of charcoal suggested a Romano-British, Early Saxon or Middle Saxon date, though a Romano-British date was thought unlikely.
Protected Status: None recorded
Other References/Statuses
- HER backup file (new series): SOU 29 etc
- Old Southampton SMR No/Backup file: SU 4111 SE 3 (M) SU 4111 NE 11
Monument Type(s):
Full description
[1]: A radiocarbon date was obtained from a small amount of charcoal from context 889, allocated in [2] to Phase IC (not securely dated but thought to be possibly Iron Age). The calibrated result of the radiocarbon date was AD 430 - 650 (at the 68% confidence level), so Phase IC could belong anywhere between the Romano-British and Middle Saxon periods. One sherd of pottery found in a context in this phase was dated as either Iron Age or Saxon. It is thought possible that Phase IC could be of Early to Middle Saxon date, a Romano-British date being thought unlikely*. The Phase IC stratigraphy originally presented in [2] is reassessed and a new interpretation suggested. The phase comprised a series of layers, postholes, a shallow pit and a linear feature. The stratigraphy could be interpreted as representing a smithing area, incorporating part of a post-built structure and a screen or "fence" around at least one smithing hearth (a tuyere hole and significant amounts of hammerscale, slag, charcoal were found). Similar groups of features and associated iron-working debris have been found at Six Dials, Southampton, where they date to the Middle Saxon period.
* Roman evidence has been found in the general area however, so a Roman date for the phase perhaps shouldn't be ruled out. IP 20/2/04.
Sources / Further Reading
| [1] | SSH1887 - Article in serial: J Oxley. 1988. A Possible Saxon Smithing Site and Further Evidence for SOU 29, Southampton.. PHFC&AS Vol 44, 1988, 41-47. all |
| [2] | SSH1886 - Article in serial: Stephen Smith. 1984. An Iron Age Site at Maddison Street, Southampton.. PHFC&AS Vol 40, 1984, 35-47. |
Associated Finds: None recorded
Associated Events
- ESH29 - Excavation in Maddison Street in 1980 and 1981 (Ref: SOU 29)
Related records
| MSH709 | Peer (Chronological): Maddison Street (North Side) - part of the bailey of Southampton Castle (Below- Ground Evidence) |
| MSH646 | Peer (Chronological): Maddison Street (West Side) - Bronze Age Pottery Find |
| MSH647 | Peer (Chronological): Maddison Street (West Side) - Iron Age Evidence |
| MSH649 | Peer (Chronological): Maddison Street (West Side) - Occupation Evidence Pre-dating the Castle |
Associated Links: None recorded
If you have any feedback or new information about this record, please email the Southampton HER (her@southampton.gov.uk).
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