Post-medieval ditch and finds at Monks Cottage, Great Sampford (EHER 1582)

Features recorded, revealed during construction of a new garage and driveway.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: The uppermost layer of a broad, shallow ditch contained 19th century material with pottery, coarse wares, of the 17th century onwards. A stone floor about 0.3m east of the ditch produced pottery principally centring on the 13th and 17th centuries. None of the later group was from below the stones. The floor ran north-south, stopping at the edge of an apparent east-west ditch north of the present pavement. The ditch was associated with 16th to 18th century pottery. An area of burnt clay in the northern half of the floor is seen as a hearth. Metalwork from the first ditch, layer 1, included iron nails, copper alloy plate, socketed iron object of unknown use, possibly a handle. Iron nails were also found among the cobbles of the stone floor. The cobbled stone floor is almost certainly that of a 13th century house demolished in early medieval times. The owner considered Monks Cottage to be built in 17th century style, using timber from the earlier hall-house. Coincidence of dates suggests this to be so. The boundaries of the Monks Cottage plot are basically similar to the post medieval ones, though enlarged slightly to the south and west. <1> Iron and copper alloy objects - all nails likely to be recent. Other finds included a fragment of a knife-blade, a small triangular plate, ornamental fitment, copper alloy perforated trapezoidal plate, two ferrules (copper alloy), a ring (copper alloy) - a possible curtain ring, and a copper alloy rectangular plate. Metal finds mostly unstratified. <2> Site Assessment = Partially destroyed by garage and new driveway. <3> 17th century timber-framed and plastered building, with some weatherboarding and a later extension at the west end. One storey and attics with a thatched roof. Older part has a central square chimneystack. House was under renovation at time of Listed Buildings resurvey. <4>