This building is in the middle of being thoroughly renovated with the assistance of a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, and replacement gas pipes are currently being installed there.
During the groundwork
necessary for this, workers at the site came across a number of ancient artefacts – in the process proving that this site can be dated back a great deal further than previously believed.
The archaeologist at the site, Iain Soden, found a pin made of copper alloy, a vessel of glass and several pieces of high-grade pottery, all believed to date back to the Roman era.
Soden told the Northampton Chronicle:
“There are some really nice pieces here and, while there’s going to be some reconstruction necessary, they will be of value in telling the wider story of this site.”
He went on to add that finding the artefacts had made the hard work in damp conditions seem much more worthwhile.
Up until now, it had been believed that the earliest the site could be dated back to was the 12th century, when the medieval Delapre Abbey was constructed there.
Most abbeys make use of postcard printing as souvenirs for visitors and artefacts can make an interesting photograph.