Norton Priory undercroft excavation by Earthworks Archaeology unearths post-medieval pottery near Tudor Road, Manor Park, Runcorn

Nov 26 2009 by Oliver Clay, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

EXCAVATIONS at a Runcorn heritage site have unearthed late post-medieval pottery.

The recent dig at Norton Priory’s undercroft was carried out because of a mysterious sinking Victorian floor, but the team discovered more than just mud.

Lynn Smith, Norton Priory senior keeper, said the team found black glaze pottery and a bone button, dating from between the 17th and 19th centuries, and late into the era of the Brooke family – priory owners from the latter half of the 16th century until 1921.

Priory staff are now waiting for Earthworks Archaeology, who carried out the dig, to analyse the artifacts.

Archaeologists also discovered a silt layer where they think there may have been a pond, and Lynn said the floor has been sinking only over the silty areas.

The silt samples will be analysed when more funding becomes available.

She said the team also found a layer of rubble sealed by black bitumen, and a solid stone foundation that supports the undercroft roof pillars.

Sandstone blocks were discovered where the team thinks a plinth was used to hold a timber scaffold or mechanism for building vaulting.

Lynn said: “The Earthworks Archaeology team has shed more light on the medieval undercroft’s history.

“We really didn’t know what to expect but found some late post-medieval pottery and a bone button, from well into the Brooke family era.

“They should be in pretty good condition because they’re not that old. They’re quite common for Norton Priory but we have to wait for the Earthworks team who are based in Flintshire to write their report for the full picture.”

oliver.clay@liverpool.com