Remains of medieval barn unearthed in Southam by archaeologists

Remains of medieval barn unearthed in Southam by archaeologists. The tithe barn would have been an 'important and prominent building in the town'.

Archaeologists have uncovered the remains of a medieval tithe barn in Southam.

The team has discovered the foundations of three sides of a substantial stone building at Little Park.

Its limestone walls were a metre wide and although the exposed foundations are 18m long, the whole building would originally have been about 40m long.

The excavation is being carried out on behalf of Orbit Homes (2020) Ltd in advance of the construction of an Independent Living Scheme, replacement library, community facilities and a community office.

Tithe barns were used to store the tithe, or a tenth of a farmers produce, which was to be given to the Church. As this tax was paid in kind, the barn would be filled with whatever crop the farmers had been growing, often wheat or barley.

Archaeologist Andrew Mann said: “Tithe barns played a significant part in medieval life and the Southam barn would have been an important and prominent building in the town.”