Plate 2. Trench 11 at base of excavation, looking south
Plate 3. Trench 11 - east facing section
York Archaeological Trust
Trench 11 was located in the Territorial Army depot compound, south-west of the depot building, and close to the Hungate street frontage, whereas trench 12 was located east of this, in a compound currently leased by Calverts Carpets. Probe-holes cored in 1999 (Macnab 1999a, 10) predicted a build-up of 1.7m of occupation deposits on the Hungate street frontage surviving to a height of 9.49m AOD. Trench 11 was excavated to evaluate these occupation deposits. Trench 12 was chosen to investigate whether a medieval graveyard located within trench 13 extended into this area.
The trench measured 4.1m long and 1.5m wide and the present ground surface in the area was situated at 9.70m AOD. Once machine excavation had removed the overburden, hand excavation of the archaeological deposits proceeded to c.8.12m AOD. The archaeological deposits consisted of highly complex stratified remains relating to the occupation of the Hungate street frontage from the Anglo-Scandinavian and medieval periods. These deposits were located a mere 0.24m below the present ground surface at c.9.46m AOD.
The earliest archaeological deposits were three possible use or occupation deposits (contexts 11084, 11085 and 11086), which were not excavated as they were located at the limit of excavation at between 8.12m and 8.26m AOD. These three contexts consisted of compact mid to dark greyish green and brown clayey and sandy silts, with frequent charcoal flecks, moderate brick and tile fragments, occasional limestone and mortar fragments, pebbles and animal bone. A small patch of broken brick and tile fragments (context 11087) was also located at this level. All of these deposits are best interpreted as lightly trampled earth floors with associated repairs, situated within a building (Building A) which fronted onto Hungate. The high charcoal content implies the presence of a hearth close by.
A circular post-hole (context 11082) which measured 0.46m in diameter and was 0.20m deep with steep, almost vertical, sides truncated context 11084. The post-hole contained a moist dark brown silt (context 11083) interpreted as the remnants of an upright post, which may originally have supported the roof of Building A fronting onto Hungate. It is likely that this building would have been completely built from timber.
Two layers consisting of friable orange brown silty sand (context 11081) and moist very dark grey silty clay (context 11080) were then laid down. These were interpreted as floor or occupation deposits on site, but may simply be dumps of material to level the ground surface either within an existing building or, more likely, prior to construction work on the site. Context 11081 appears to slope up to the north-west, giving the superficial appearance of a bank. It is possible that this deposit represents a raised platform for the construction of another building (Building B) fronting onto the street. Context 11081 also contained an interesting iron object (small find 9), which appeared to be a small section of plated iron chain links, possibly from a piece of armour or chain mail. Context 11080 was dated to the 10th century.
Figure 6. North-east facing section of Trench 11 Scale 1:20
A sequence of thin stratified floor deposits consisting of charcoal, off white friable silty clay, yellow and orange red fine grained sands, mid grey clay silt, and light brownish orange and orange clay (contexts 11072-74 and 11076-79) was laid down. These formed internal floors within Building B. Occupation deposit 11077 was pottery dated to the 9th/10th century and deposit 11074 was pottery dated to the 10th century.
A thick levelling dump consisting of light orange brown clay (context 11070) up to 0.20m thick then sealed the entire trench. This may have functioned as an internal levelling deposit or as further pre-construction levelling prior to rebuilding. Residual Roman and 11th century pottery were associated with context 10070. The 11th century pottery is difficult to explain. The context was truncated by later features at both ends of the trench and it is possible that these sherds have intruded into this deposit via these sources.
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Plate 2. Trench 11 at base of excavation, looking south |
Plate 3. Trench 11 - east facing section |
At the south-eastern end of the trench a linear feature (context 11092), aligned north-east to south-west truncated the deposits described above. Context 11092 had steep sides (the base was not observed as it was beyond the excavation depth limit) and measured over 0.53m wide and 0.51m deep. This was interpreted as a gully or a beam-slot, which may have functioned as a property boundary or as the foundation for a large sill beam (Building C). The limitations of the evaluation in terms of depth of excavation and size prevents further interpretation of this feature.
On the south-western edge of the excavation area a shallow circular scoop (context 11067) was then dug. This had shallow sloping sides and a flat base and measured 0.30m in diameter and 0.18m in depth. The cut may have functioned as a post socket for a timber upright, and may have been part of Building C. It rapidly went out of use, however, and was backfilled with compact mid grey silty clay (context 11065). A second shallow feature (context 11066) which had a similar profile to context 11067 and measured 0.60m in diameter and 0.17m deep, truncated context 11065. Context 11066 was interpreted as the construction cut for a hearth, as it was backfilled with friable orange-red sandy silt (context 11064). Two deposits consisting of a thin layer of charcoal (context 11063) and a spread of red sandy silt (context 11061) sealed the area in which the hearth and post-socket where situated. These are interpreted as use deposits associated with hearth 11064.
Gully 11092 was then backfilled with three deposits, which levelled the area prior to further occupation. The three deposits consisted of a mix of fine yellow sand and dark brown silt (context 11075), greyish sand (context 11062) and orange-brown sandy clay dated by pottery to the 10th century (context 11060).
A series of three further occupation or floor deposits were then laid down which consisted of compact yellow brown clay (context 11059), friable grey sandy silt (context 11056) and clay silt (context 11058). These are interpreted as floor deposits in a new building (Building D). Context 11056 was pottery dated to the 10th century.
At the south-eastern end of the trench a new gully or beam-slot (context 11057) was dug, slightly to the south-east but on the same alignment as the earlier gully (context 11092). This had a steep north-western side, a flat base and measured over 0.52m wide by 0.09m deep. Again the most probable explanations for this feature are that it was either a property boundary or a beam-slot (part of Building D). It rapidly went out of use and was backfilled with compacted dark brown clay silt (context 11055) which was dated to the 10th century. Subsequently a further linear feature (context 11041) was dug slightly further to the south-east, which had a similar profile and characteristics to contexts 11057 and 11092. This may represent a further building (Building E) on a similar alignment to those already described. Context 11041 was up to 0.11m deep, but as with the earlier gully/beam-slot went rapidly out of use and was backfilled with mid grey brown silty clay (context 11040). This sequence of slots/trenches (contexts 11057, 11092 and 11041) must have been either structurally or physically important in building or property terms, as it was repeatedly replaced, with a slight shift to the south-east.
Several deposits were laid down to the north-west of, but partially sealing the fills of gully/trench 11057. These consisted of charcoal (context 11054), friable orange sand with patches of red burnt sand, charcoal, daub and brick fragments and pebbles (context 11052) and orange brown sandy silt (context 11039). All of these deposits were either associated with a hearth structure close by, or represent the burning down of Building E. The latter interpretation is favoured here. Context 11054 was pottery dated to the 10th century.
Truncating these deposits were two parallel stake-hole alignments (collectively numbered context 11043). The stake-holes were c.0.5m apart and aligned roughly north-east to south-west, at right angles to the street front. The more north-western alignment consisted of five circular stake-holes with steep sides, tapering to pointed bases, which measured between 0.06 and 0.08m in diameter and 0.09 and 0.14m deep. The south-eastern line contained four stake-holes, which were similar in plan and profile to those of the north-west alignment and measured 0.06m to 0.09m in diameter and 0.12 to 0.15m in depth. Both alignments were probably part of the same structure (Building F). They may have formed part of a partition wall, or the eastern wall of Building F with an internal alignment of stakes where a bench may have been situated (as seen at 16-22 Coppergate - Hall 1994, 57, 59 - plate 34). To the north-west a further sub-rectangular stake-hole was inserted, which had steep sides and tapering base, and measured, 0.08m long, 0.06m wide and 0.09m deep. It is unclear how this stake-hole fitted into the overall structure of the building.
A large pit (context 11071/11053) was dug at the
north-western end of the trench, which may indicate
that Building F, had been demolished or fallen into
disuse. Much of the pit lay beyond the edge of excavation
but it had steep sides and a flat base and was up to
0.94m deep. Backfilling the pit was a series of deposits,
which consisted of friable grey to brown silty clays
(contexts 11049-11051) and dark brown or greyish brown
clay silts (context 11068-9). These deposits contained
brick, tile and charcoal flecks, limestone, mortar,
animal bone and shell fragments and small pebbles. Context
11068 spilled out over the top edge of the pit and was
spread over the area to the south-west. The feature
appears to have been dug for the disposal of domestic
rubbish, possibly within an abandoned building.
Overlying context 11049 was a series of possible floor
or occupation deposits. These consisted of friable light
grey mortar (context 11048) and compact light to mid
brown silty clay and clay silt (contexts 11046-11047).
These collectively raised the ground level to c.8.78m
AOD and were probably within a new building (Building
G). Context 11048 contained residual Roman pottery but
contexts 11046-7 contained 10th century pottery, which
firmly places these new floor deposits in the Anglo-Scandinavian
period.
Truncating these floor or occupation deposits was a large clearance cut 0.20m deep (context 11044) which removed the majority of deposits within the trench to a depth of c.8.64m AOD. Only the deposits situated at the extreme north-west end of the trench were not disturbed. Only the north-western side of cut 11044 was visible and this was orientated north-east to south-west with a steep near vertical side and a flat base. It appears that the clearance cut was designed to lower the ground level within a building fronting onto Hungate. The edge of the cut may have been supported by a timber or plank revetment, to prevent the deposits to the north-west from collapsing. This may have formed the western wall of a basement building (Building H) such as those seen at 16-22 Coppergate (Hall 1994, 59-64, 62 plate 37, (Colour plate 7)). Deposits were quickly laid down within the clearance cut to raise the ground level again almost back to the original level. These consisted of compact dark grey and brown silty clays (contexts 11038 and 11042). Perhaps the clearance and re-levelling was to correct the results of subsidence within a building or room rather than the construction of Building H. In any case an Anglo-Scandinavian bone toggle or Buzz bone (small find 8) and a residual Roman tessera (small find 4) from a mosaic floor were recovered from context 11038 together with 10th century pottery and a fragment of a Torksey ware lamp.
A long series of occupation and floor deposits were then laid down over the majority of the trench area. They consisted of compact greyish and dark brown clay silt (context 11028 and 11037); dark grey to mid brown silty clay (context 11030, 11031 and 11034); mid brown sandy silt (context 11035); compact yellowish grey clay and mortar (context 11032); compact orange brown clay (context 11033) and charcoal (context 11036). All of the deposits contained charcoal and mortar flecks, shell and animal bone fragments, small to medium sized pebbles and cobbles and brick and tile fragments in varying concentrations. An intrusive fragment of 14th century brick was recovered from context 11035. These deposits appear to post-date the north-east to south-west aligned clearance cut edge and were inside a new building (Building J). In combination the deposits raised the ground level to 8.93m AOD and were pottery dated to the 10th or 11th centuries, pottery being recovered from contexts 11030, 11034-35 and 11037. Only the upper most deposit within the sequence (context 11028) contained 11th or 12th century pottery. A fragment of an Anglo-Scandinavian comb tooth plate made from antler (small find 3) was also recovered. Contexts 11035 and 11028 were both sampled for environmental evidence, which suggested that food remains and possibly fragments of wall and roofing were being incorporated into the floors. In the case of context 11035 remains of baked clay/daub, charcoal bone fragments, mostly burnt, and charred and uncharred nutlets of bog rush were found. Bog-rush has been used for thatching in the past but could also be floor litter. Context 11028 contained charcoal, burnt bone (pig, chicken and herring) and a single charred barley grain.
A pit (context 11029), which had steep sides and a flat base and measured up to 0.16m deep was dug at the north-western end of the trench. It was difficult to determine the overall shape in plan and the dimensions of the cut, as later features truncated it. Backfilling this pit was friable orange brown silty clay (context 11026) with moderate charcoal flecks and lumps and occasional animal bone. Cut 11029 was interpreted as a hearth base as it contained strong evidence of burning.
Compact yellowish sandy mortar (context 11027) was laid down within a shallow depression at the south-eastern end of the trench (context unnumbered). This may have formed the base of a hearth or served another unknown purpose. Sealing context 11027 were three deposits consisting of compact light brown and dark brown clay silt (contexts 11019 and 11024-11025). Charcoal flecks, pebbles, brick, tile and mortar fragments and animal bone in varying concentrations were observed in these deposits. Deposit 11024 also contained frequent daub fragments. These deposits may have been dumped to level the ground surface after the hearth went out of use.
On the north-eastern and north-western sides of the trench a series of deposits were then laid down consisting of compact light brown, dark brown and dark grey silty clays (contexts 11007, 11011, 11013, 11018, 11020 and 11023). These contained similar inclusions to the deposits described above and were interpreted as dumps, which raised the ground level to c.8.98m AOD. This suggests that the area was abandoned for occupation in the later 11th or early 12th century. Pottery from these post-abandonment dumps (contexts 11007, 11011 and 11020) spans from the 11th to the 13th centuries and fragments of plain tile suggest a 13th to 16th century date. The area may therefore have not been used at all from the later 11th to the 13th century. It is suggested here that the dumping activity described above occurred in the 13th century.
Four post-holes (contexts 11005, 11006, 11017 and 11022) truncated the dump deposits. Three of these (contexts 11005, 11006 and 11017) formed a line which was orientated north-west to south-east and ran just south of the centre of, and along the full length of, the trench. All three were circular or sub-square in plan. The largest, context 11005, was situated at the north-west end of the trench and had steep to near vertical sides which fell to a step on the south-west side. A circular post-socket was visible in the base, which had steep sides and a flat base. Overall the post-hole measured 0.88m in diameter at the top and the post-socket was 0.40m in diameter, the step being 0.20m deep and the post-socket 0.62m deep. To the south-east of this were two further smaller post-holes (contexts 11006 and 11017) which had steep near vertical sides and flat bases, and measured between 0.3 and 0.5m in diameter and 0.2 to 0.28m deep. These three post-holes would have held the uprights for part of a substantial timber building (Building K) and probably formed a major dividing wall within the building. A further oval post-hole (context 11022) with vertical sides and a slightly rounded base, which measured 0.30m in diameter and 0.08m deep, was located on the south-eastern side of the trench and may be associated with this structure.
Once the building went out of use, the posts were removed and the resultant voids backfilled with friable mid grey silty clay (context 11003), brown silt (context 11004) and dark brown clay silt (context 11016 and 11021). These backfills were pottery dated to the 12th or 13th centuries. An intrusive fragment of 19th century brick was recovered from context 11003 as well as a fragment of 13th to 16th century ridge tile. A residual fragment of Anglo-Scandinavian worked antler (small find 1) was also recovered from context 11004.
Sealing backfill (context 11016) was a hearth which consisted of three deposits; dark brown clay silt with frequent charcoal flecks, fine yellow sand and red orange burnt clay (collectively numbered context 11012). The hearth was sealed by a layer of use deposit consisting of a dark brown to black clay silt (context 11010) which contained a fragment of slag (small find 10). To the north-west were two spreads of compact mid orange brown silty clay (context 11015) and light grey silty sandy clay (context 11014) which may also be associated with the use of this hearth. Context 11010 was pottery dated to the 13th century.
A thick dump of compact mid brown silty clay (context 11001), the upper surface of which was located at 9.30m AOD sealed all underlying deposits. This contained a range of pottery dating from the 10th or 11th centuries through to the 13th or 14th centuries, and peg and plain tile dateable from the 14th to the 16th centuries. An undated coin (small find 2) was also recovered from this context. It suggests that the area was abandoned again in the late 13th or 14th century and used for dumping.
A layer of compact mid brown clay (context 11091) sealed dump 11001. This appears to have included a number of medium to large limestone blocks, which were visible in section at the south-eastern end of the trench. A limestone block, interpreted as a post-pad, (Architectural fragment number 4) was recovered from a later deposit within the trench. This deposit may have been a levelling deposit for a 14th or 15th century timber-framed building (perhaps the Cordwainers (Shoemakers) Hall reputedly situated in the area). A further thick dump of dark grey silty clay (context 11090) was deposited after the building had been demolished and raised the ground level to 9.60m AOD.
A north-east to south-west cut (context 11008) for a modern drain (context 11009 and 11002) truncated the earlier deposits. Modern hard-core (context 11089) and tarmac (context 11088) sealed the drain to the top of the trench at 9.72m AOD.
The trench was positioned on the extreme western side of a yard fronting Palmer Lane currently used by Calvert's Carpets. It measured 3.6m long and 1.7m wide and was opened specifically to determine the extent of a medieval churchyard discovered in Trench 13 to the east. The present ground surface was situated at 10.04m AOD.
The earliest deposit seen was a dump of friable brown and grey brown silty loam (context 12029) the top of which was located at between 8.26m and 8.52m AOD. This covered the full length of the trench and was not excavated.
The Phase 1 deposits were truncated at the extreme eastern end of the trench by a large cut (context 12028). The majority of this cut was beyond the edge of excavation so its full extent and shape in plan could not be ascertained, but the western side fell steeply to a flattish base and the cut was c.0.30m deep. The primary backfill was light brown silty clay and clay sand (context 12027) which appeared to have been severely burnt in places. The areas of greatest burning were bright orange and brick red in colour. This cut is interpreted as being for a hearth, the size of which suggests an industrial function. It may have been used for metalworking within a workshop. Sealing the hearth was a deposit of charcoal (context 12026) which contained patches of light grey-brown clay-silt and clay, brick and tile fragments, animal bone and shell and pebbles. This deposit is interpreted as a use deposit associated with the hearth. The hearth was pottery dated to the 12th century and the use deposit to the 12th or 13th century.
Just to the north-west of the hearth area and sealing use deposit 12026 was a spread of friable greyish brown clay silt (context 12023). It was pottery dated to the 12th or 13th century and may have been laid down shortly after the hearth was constructed. This is interpreted as a levelling dump laid down to raise the ground level to the north-west of the hearth, (the top of 12023 was at 8.63m AOD). An iron blade (small find 53) and several unidentified fragments of copper alloy were also recovered from this context. It is possible that it was laid down over the whole area but was subsequently heavily truncated by later features to the west and south.
Deposit 12026 was sealed by two deposits, greyish brown silty loam (context 12025) and mixed mid brown and greyish brown clay sand (context 12024). Both deposits are interpreted as dumping and trampling over the top of the hearth. 12025 was pottery dated to the 13th century whereas 12024 had a broader date range spanning from the 11th century to the 14th or 15th centuries. As later deposits are of 14th century date, it seems likely that the hearth had fallen out of use by the mid to late 13th century when it was sealed by contexts 12024-12025.
A series of dump deposits was laid down over the majority of the trench area. These consisted of friable brown ashy silt (context 12018) and mixed grey brown silty loam and clay silt (contexts 12019-22). These contexts contained brick, tile, limestone, mortar, animal bone, and shell fragments; charcoal, ash and coal flecks; patches of light brown sandy clay and yellowish clay sand; iron fragments and copper alloy wire in varying concentrations. The area at this point appears to have been used for the dumping of industrial and domestic rubbish and it appears that metal-working was being carried out in the vicinity. The small finds suggest the working of copper alloy including pin making - pin making debris (small finds 12, 13 and 22), a possible needle (small find 11) and a lace tag (small find 30). Pottery dates suggest that these deposits were laid down during the 14th century.
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Plate 4. Trench 12 Cut 12028 with possible hearth deposit 12027 |
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Two small pits (contexts 12006 and 12017) truncated the earlier dump deposits. Pit 12006 was situated at the extreme eastern end of the trench, and was largely located outside the excavation area. It had a steep western side and measured over 0.18m in depth. Backfilling cut 12006 was mid brown silty sand (context 12005) which contained occasional animal bone, mortar, brick, limestone and coal ash fragments and charcoal flecks. To the west of cut 12006 a second pit (context 12017) was located. This was ovoid in plan with steep sides and a flat based step to the south-east, whereas to the north-west, it fell near vertically to a rounded base. Two deposits consisting of greyish brown clay sand and clay silt (contexts 12015-12016) with similar inclusions to 12005 backfilled the pit. Context 12015 contained a number of interesting small finds including an iron knife (small find 41a), an unidentified three pronged iron object (small find 41b), a copper alloy pendant belt mount (small find 42), a leather worker's honestone/needle sharpener (small find 39) and lead waste (small find 36). Pit 12006 may have been deliberately excavated for the disposal of domestic rubbish, but pit 12017 contained evidence for both metal working (copper and lead) and leather working in the vicinity. Context 12005 was pottery dated to the 15th century, and contexts 12015-12016 to the 16th century.
A series of dump deposits which consisted of friable brown or greyish brown clay sand (contexts 12004 and 12011-12014) and mixed grey brown sandy loam (context 12002) were laid down. These contained brick, tile, mortar and limestone fragments, oyster shell, animal bone, charcoal flecks and fragments, small cobbles and pebbles and patches of light brown sandy clay in varying concentrations together with pottery ranging in date from the 10th to the 16th centuries. The deposits are therefore probably of 16th century date. A further assortment of objects was recovered including further evidence for copper alloy working and objects (small finds 9, 10, 24, 25 and 52), an iron knife blade (sf7) which may contain evidence for a sheath preserved within the corrosion, and an iron fibre processing spike (small find 26). Context 12013 was also bulk sampled and produced a considerable quantity of bone, mostly fish including herring, eel, cod and ling. The wash over produced a single uncharred fig seed and a charred wheat grain. These deposits represent a mix of fresh domestic rubbish, fish processing debris and redeposited material.
Truncating these deposits were two pits (contexts 12009 and 12010). The former was a small circular cut 0.45m in diameter and 0.62m deep, with steep sides and a rounded base. Backfilling the pit was friable brown clay sand (context 12008) with occasional to moderate bone fragments, charcoal, coal and limestone, mortar, brick and tile fragments, which was dated as 14th or 15th century. Pit 12010 was ovoid in shape with almost vertical sides and a flatish base. It measured 1.35m long, 0.92m wide and 0.16m deep, and was backfilled with two deposits. The first (context 12007) was very similar to 12008 but was greyish brown, whereas the secondary fill consisted of mixed greyish brown ashy clay sand (context 12003). Backfill 12003 contained occasional tile, charcoal, bone (including fish) and mortar fragments. The pottery assemblage within the backfills spans the 10th to the 16th century. Both pits are interpreted as domestic rubbish pits of 16th century date.
A thick build-up of friable greyish brown clay sand (context 12061) sealed all of the underlying deposits, its surface being located at between 8.74m and 9.00m AOD. This deposit contained occasional ashy patches, bone, tile and charcoal and is probably best interpreted as a continuation of 16th century dumping processes.
Two dumps were laid down at the western end of the
trench. These consisted of a layer of off-white crushed
mortar (context 12060) which was up to 0.14m thick and
friable grey brown silty loam (context 12054) with moderate
brick and tile fragments, occasional mortar, charcoal,
shell and bone. This may indicate the demolition of
nearby buildings, with the resultant material being
used to level the ground.
At the east end of the trench, further dumps of friable
grey brown silt (context 12056) and mixed grey brown
ashy sandy silt (context 12055) were laid down, the
top of these being at 9.04m AOD.
A layer of firm dark grey brown clayey gritty silt (context 12053) covered the whole trench. This is interpreted as a horticultural or agricultural soil and was up to 0.37m thick. This deposit may date to the 18th century. Similar deposits were located in Trenches 13 and 14, the upper surfaces of which were between 9.27m and 9.41m AOD.
A series of 18th or 19th century foundation trenches truncated the agricultural or horticultural soil. The more westerly (context 12045) was orientated north-west to south-east and had irregular sides and a flat base. The trench, which measured c.0.40m wide and 0.40m deep, was filled with up to three courses of large limestone blocks (context 12044) two blocks thick. They were mortared together with light grey to off-white lime based mortar. The second (unnumbered) foundation trench was orientated north-east to south-west and had a similar profile to context 12045. This cut contained a foundation (context 12047) which was similar to context 12044 and included a piece of worked limestone, probably from a door jamb. These foundations, which joined together in the south-east corner of the trench, were beneath two brick walls. The walls would have formed part of a substantial house, which probably fronted onto Palmer Lane. The materials used in the foundations suggest that robbed stone from the medieval church of St.John-in-the-Marsh or from its cemetery boundary wall were still available for reuse as late as the 18th century.
At the eastern end of the trench, foundation 12047 was sealed by a brick floor and possibly by the base of a brick wall (context 12046). This dated from the 17th to the 19th century and was situated at 9.40m AOD. The floor and wall base was one brick thick (0.05m) and probably formed part of a property that fronted onto Palmer Lane. At the western end of the trench, a deposit of crushed creamy off-white mortar (contexts 12052 and 12059) was also located. This was up to 0.04m thick and may have formed a further floor within this building.
After the building fell out of use, a large pit (context 12043) was excavated on the north side of the trench. The pit had moderately steep sides and a flattish base, and measured 1.50m wide and 0.33m deep and may have been dug to dispose of demolition material. It was completely backfilled with crushed light brown and off-white mortar fragments (context 12042) with occasional small limestone and brick fragments.
Demolition material consisting of brick rubble (context 12041), mixed crushed brick and mortar fragments (context 12050) and a friable mixed grey brown gritty sand (context 12051) with occasional brick and tile fragments sealed the Phase 5 deposits. Dumps of friable mixed grey brown sandy silt (contexts 12039 and 12041) distinguishable by their inclusions; context 12039 containing frequent mortar and occasional tile fragments; and context 12041 containing occasional cobbles, pebbles and mortar fragments; were then deposited to the north-east of foundation (context 12044). These dumps appear to have been laid down to raise and level the ground surface to c.9.58m AOD.
A large post-hole (context 12049) was dug at the extreme western end of the trench. This had steep sides, a rounded base and measured 0.65m wide and 0.38m deep. It was backfilled with concrete designed to hold the post in position and then with mixed grey brown fine sand, with fragments of brick and tile (numbered jointly - context 12048).
Once the post had rotted the area was covered with light mid brown sand (context 12037) which was up to 0.03m thick (the top of which was located at 9.56m AOD). Its function is uncertain and may simply be a spread of building sand. Further dumps consisting of friable grey brown slightly clayey sand and gritty sand (contexts 12036 and 12058) were laid down at the western end of the trench, which raised the ground level to 9.81m AOD.
At the eastern end of the trench, a shallow construction cut (context 12057) truncated the earlier deposits. This had a gently sloping western side and a flattish base. The primary fill consisted of friable yellow brown sand (context 12038), which formed a bedding layer 0.05m thick. On top of this a layer of medium sized cobbles, bricks and limestone fragments in a matrix of compact dark grey gritty sand up to 0.14m thick (context 12035) was laid down. This formed a hard surface which appeared to be orientated north-west to south-east across the eastern end of the trench. It probably formed a surface for the modern yard entrance situated to the south-east.
Friable reddish ash (context 12033) up to 0.42m thick sealed these deposits and raised the ground level to 10.04m AOD in places. This is interpreted as a dump of modern industrial material. At the extreme western end of the trench a pit (context 12063) with an irregular southern side and a flattish base which was up to 0.29m deep was found. It was backfilled with two deposits (contexts 12034 and 12062), the primary fill 12034 consisted of very mixed grey brown and light blue sand, and the secondary of very mixed brick, mortar and plaster fragments. Deposit 12034 was probably a by-product from an industrial process, which was disposed of in pit 12063, the building rubble being used to level the ground surface. A similar light blue sandy deposit (context 12032) was clearly visible in section on the northern side of the trench. This also contained rubble, tile and iron. Two further dumps sealed the deposits at the western end of the trench. These consisted of friable mid brown clay sand (context 12031) and grey brown sandy silt (context 12030). These modern dumps finally raised the ground level to c.10.04m AOD across the western end of the trench.
The archaeological deposits in Group 3 consisted of highly complex well-stratified occupation deposits relating to the continuous use of the Hungate street frontage from the Anglo-Scandinavian through to the post-medieval periods.
Anglo-Scandinavian deposits were only located in Trench 11, but deposits of this date almost certainly exist below the depth limit for the present excavations in Trench 12. The earliest activity consisted of late 9th and early 10th century occupation deposits (Trench 11 Phase 1), which extended beyond the excavation depth limit of 1.50m below ground level. The deposits included evidence for two superimposed buildings (Buildings A and B) which were presumably built of timber. Several dumps within the phase appeared to form a raised bank, which could have been a building platform or simply a sequence of floors. Within the confines of a small trench it is impossible to obtain much information concerning construction methods or ground plans of these buildings.
A second phase of activity in Trench 11, which was dated to the 10th century, incorporated the remains of five successive buildings (Buildings C, D, E and F) with associated floors and hearths. Three of the buildings (C, D and E) had beam-slot foundations, which shifted position slightly as each new building was constructed. It is possible that Building E burnt down. Building F showed a different construction technique, having two parallel rows of stake holes rather than a beam-slot. After Building F went out of use the area may have been abandoned for a short time allowing the insertion of a large rubbish pit (Trench 11 Phase 3). Further floor and occupation surfaces, presumably within a timber building (Building G) were then deposited. Part of the area was truncated by a clearance cut, which could represent either a new building or the clearance of a room within an existing building and insertion of a timber revetment. Assuming that the cut represented a new building it was numbered Building H (Trench 11 Phase 4). Occupation deposits including floors and two hearths of late 10th or early 11th century date sealed Building H and these are interpreted as relating to yet another timber building (Building J).
The limited size of Trench 11 restricted the interpretation of the Anglo-Scandinavian deposits seen. In many cases the existence of buildings could only be inferred from the presence of floor/occupation deposits, and even where structural elements such as beam slots or stake holes were present it was not possible to determine whether these represented internal or external building walls.
Deposits of medieval date were found in both Trenches 11 and 12. In the case of Trench 11 (Phase 5) the area seems to have been abandoned in the late 11th or early 12th century, but was resettled and used for dumping in the 13th century. Occupation appears to have been sporadic, although an alignment of large post-holes implies that a timber framed building was present. It is significant that no floor or occupation deposits apart from a hearth and associated use deposits were recovered from this phase, which is dateable to the late 13th or early 14th century. A thick dump dateable to the 14th century then sealed the whole trench. Subsequently a levelling deposit and a possible limestone sill beam wall for a timber-framed building was observed. It is possible that these deposits related to a 15th century hall, which may be the heavily truncated remnants of the Cordwainers (shoemakers) Guild Hall.
The earliest archaeological deposits in Trench 12 (Trench 12 Phase 1) were of 12th century date and were probably associated with dumping activity within a yard behind a property which fronted onto Hungate. The dumps were truncated by a large industrial hearth of late 12th or early 13th century date, which may have been part of a metal-working workshop (Trench 12 Phase 2). A series of intercutting pits and dumps dateable from the 13th to the 16th century (Trench 12 Phase 3) sealed the hearth. These dumps and pits also contained evidence for metalworking in the vicinity. The final phase of medieval activity in Trench 12 consisted of dumping, possibly associated with the demolition of buildings on the Hungate street frontage. The top of these dumps was situated at c.9.00m AOD.
No evidence for burials associated with the churchyard of the church of St.John-in-the-Marsh or the boundary wall of the churchyard was discovered in Trench 12. This clearly shows that the boundary for the church and associated cemetery must be located somewhere between Trenches 12 and 13.
No post-medieval deposits were found in Trench 11 due to modern truncation of the area. However, in Trench 12 there was a thick build-up of agricultural or horticultural soil of post-medieval date (Trench 12 Phase 4). Identical deposits were seen in Trenches 13 and 14, implying either that these three trenches were within the same property in the post-medieval period or that the area was largely open ground. The horticultural soil was truncated by the foundations for an 18th century house, which fronted Palmer Lane (Trench 12 Phase 5). These foundations reused a large number of limestone blocks and architectural fragments, which probably originated from the medieval church of St.John-in-the-Marsh, situated to the east. The top of post-medieval archaeology, which included several levelling and floor deposits, was situated at c.9.50m AOD.
Modern deposits consisted of dumping in Trench 12 and a drain and the terracing cut for the construction of the Territorial Army Depot in Trench 11. This terracing effectively removed all the post-medieval deposits from Trench 11. Hard-core and tarmac levelled the area to its present height.
The archaeological deposits in Group 3 consisted of highly complex well-stratified occupation deposits relating to the continuous use of the Hungate street frontage from the Anglo-Scandinavian through to the post-medieval periods. It is highly likely that well preserved earlier deposits also exist below the present excavation depth limit. Unfortunately no waterlogged deposits was located within this group, as these would have yielded valuable environmental evidence.
It must be stressed that within the Territorial Army depot area the archaeological deposits were a mere 0.12m below the present ground surface. An earlier probe-hole located north-west of trench 1 showed very similar results, with stratified archaeological deposits predicted c.0.30m below the present ground level (ph10 Macnab 1999a, 10). Clearly modern truncation along the Hungate street frontage in this area has removed all post-medieval deposits, rendering the earlier deposits in the area especially vulnerable to redevelopment.
Group 1 | Group 2 | Group 3 | Group 4 | Group 5 | Group 6 | Group 7 | Group 8
