Site Event/Activity record ESF22977 - Building Recording and Monitoring, Vestry Extension, Church of St. Mary, Haughley, Suffolk

In March, April and May 2010, Archaeological Solutions Ltd (AS) carried out a programme of archaeological building recording and archaeological monitoring and recording at the Church of St Mary, Haughley, Suffolk (NGR TM 0265 6235). The recording and monitoring was commissioned by the PCC, and undertaken in advance of and during the construction an extension for a WC and kitchen facilities against north nave wall of the church (Planning reference no.0351/09). Approximately 30 articulated inhumations and a large quantity of disarticulated human bone were present in the area of the proposed vestry. The latter measured 6.5m x 4.10m. The inhumations predated the 1860s vestry wall which cut them, and comprised 21 infants and juveniles and 9 adults. The infant and juvenile burials overlay and cut the adult burials. The west bay of the north nave wall was inspected, described and recorded in the area which will be most affected by the planned works. This area spans a single bay and consists of fairly homogenous flintwork, framed by two buttresses with limestone dressings. There is no evidence for early apertures or evidence regarding the specific construction of the nave wall, for example building lifts, and instead the majority of intervention appears to have been carried out in the mid-late 19th century with the addition of the vestry. This facilitated the reworking of the east buttress to accommodate a flue for a fireplace, while further work is evident with the insertion of an underground culvert at foundation level below the original wall.