Monument record MLI116251 - Worked Stone, Julian Bower, Louth
Summary
Worked stone found in vicinity of Julian Bower, Louth. Mostly undated but includes medieval stonework.
Type and Period (2)
- ARTEFACT SCATTER (Undated)
- ARCHITECTURAL FRAGMENT (Medieval - 1200 AD to 1300 AD)
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Full Description
Several stones have been found in the vicinity of the earthwork platform on the playing field off Julian Bower in Louth and in surrounding gardens. Some of these stones are worked. {1}
During evaluation of the recreation ground a large piece of stone was recovered from the top of the till in trench 2. It showed no signs of working and was confirmed as a fragment of Permian limestone, typical of the geology of this region. {2}{3}
A photograph of the large stone found during the excavation work was sent for expert identification - with a result of ‘Permian Limestone’. The conclusion being it was geologically introduced to the site and part of the till. This has to be incorrect as the till is clearly described and photographed in the Allen Archaeology report (Source 2). From this description and the photographs the till is a lodgement till. Such blocks of stone would not be found in this type of till, but would be found in melt out or other till types. The 'human' factor is therefore a more reasonable interpretation for the Permian limestone. {4}
A single photograph of the large stone found during trial trenching was seen by an expert on monastic archaeology and was said to be roughly hewn and typical of material brought into the area for use in rubble walls. Following a visit to the area this expert noted that there were a couple of stones in the vicinity which are not native to Julian Bower or even Louth. Some of the stones on the road side were identified as late 12th century material but did not in the expert's view provide evidence for a major building in the vicinity. He suggested that they are building scrap that has been assembled here at some point as it is known that Louth Park Abbey stonework is spread over a wide area. {5}
An inspection of the large stone by a geologist identified it as probably a dense igneous rock rather than limestone, and that there was no real evidence to suggest the stone had been worked. He concluded that it was an unworked glacial erratic of igneous origin from the local till. Such stones are sometimes reused in rubble walling but, for this stone, such a use could not be confirmed from the stone alone. {6}
A further stone was found on the site of trench 2 following the evaluation that was some 5" long and 1" wide. {7}
Sources/Archives (7)
- <1> SLI15460 Electronic Communication: Mrs Furlong. 2016. Correspondence from a local resident. 01/04/2016.
- <2> SLI15421 Report: Allen Archaeology Ltd. 2016. Trial Trenching on Land at Julian Bower, Louth. AAL site code: LOJB 15.
- <3> SLI15422 Archive: Allen Archaeology Ltd. 2016. Trial Trenching on Land at Julian Bower, Louth. LCNCC 2015.196.
- <4> SLI15525 Correspondence: Dr J. Eyers. 2016. Letter Regarding Land at Julian Bower, Louth. 16 January 2016.
- <5> SLI15463 Electronic Communication: 2016. E-mail. 28 January 2016.
- <6> SLI15558 Unpublished Document: Dr Kevin Hayward. 2016. Comments on the Petrology and Working of the Louth stone ROJB15 [201]. -.
- <7> SLI15460 Electronic Communication: Mrs Furlong. 2016. Correspondence from a local resident. 04/04/2016.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | TF 326 866 (point) Estimated from sources |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | LOUTH, EAST LINDSEY, LINCOLNSHIRE |
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (1)
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External Links (0)
Record last edited
Sep 29 2021 8:37AM
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