York Archaeological Trust
Trenches 15, 16 and 18 have been grouped together as Group 5 on the basis of their location relatively close to the River Foss. The River Foss was dammed after the Norman Conquest to create a moat around the newly constructed York Castle. The damming had the effect of creating a large area of standing water to the east of the castle known as the Stagnum Regis or King's Pool. It was hoped that the Group 5 trenches would provide information concerning the precise location of the northern edge of the King's Pool. From as early as 1409 the King' Pool was used as a rubbish tip, a process that continued into the 17th century gradually infilling the pool (Daniell 1991, 33). As rubbish tips yield valuable information on living conditions, it was hoped deposits of this type would be located. Following the infilling of the King's Pool the area remained as open ground or gardens up to the early 19th century (Baines' map of 1822) but subsequently developed rapidly for both housing and industry.
The trench was positioned on the eastern side of a compound used by Henly's Garage which runs south from Palmer lane to the River Foss. The trench measured 3m by 2.9m and was machine excavated to the top of archaeological deposits and shoring was then inserted. The modern ground surface is situated at 9.74m AOD.
The earliest archaeological deposit excavated consisted of friable moist yellow brown clay sand (context 15033) with patches of sandy clay. It sloped southwards from a height of 6.91m at the north side of the trench to 6.62m AOD on the south side and is interpreted as river silts of probable 14th century date deposited in the King's Pool.
Truncating the river silts, on a north-east to south-west alignment, was a ditch or gully over 0.80m wide and over 0.30m deep (context 15037). This had steep sides but was not fully excavated due to the confines of the trench and the depth limit for excavation. The cut had a wicker lining (context 15036) which consisted of a long straight rod 0.05m in diameter running parallel to the edge of the cut, together with the tips of several possible upright sails. This feature may have been either part of a medieval ditch or drain relating to the reclamation of the King's Pool or part of a fish trap.
Filling the ditch, gully or fish trap was dark grey silty sand (context 15035) which contained occasional to moderate charcoal flecks, rounded pebbles, gravel and pieces of wicker work. The whole of the western side of the trench was subsequently sealed with a thick dump of friable greyish blue clay silt with tile, mortar, limestone, bone and wood fragments charcoal flecks and cobbles (context 15032). The pottery from this dump ranged in date from the 10th to the 14th century and the deposit also contained an iron knife (small find 50), a copper alloy rod (small find 51), a tile pot lid/counter (small find 72) and an undated hone stone (small find 73). The bone assemblage contained both human and animal remains. This and the pottery date range suggests that the material had been redeposited perhaps from a church yard and also domestic sources close by. The upper surface of these dumps was at c.7.00m AOD. They appear to have been deliberate dumps to raise and level the ground surface, perhaps as part of a large scale reclamation scheme possibly carried out by the Carmelite Friars. An environmental sample from this deposit revealed no further information.
Deposits consisting of mid brown silty clay (context 15031) and friable dark brown silty loam (context 15030) which included tile, brick, mortar, bone, and shell fragments in varying concentrations built up. 15030 was pottery dated to the 14th century and contained a possible fragment of medieval vessel glass (small find 78) and a fragment of painted plaster (small find 41) as well as redeposited human bone fragments. The upper surface of these deposits sloped from c.7.20m at the north side of the trench to 6.90m AOD at the south side. A series of three further deposits was laid down on the western side of the trench. These consisted of friable mid brown and mid grey brown silty loam (contexts 15023 and 15024) and mid brown clay silt (context 15018) all of which contained mortar, tile, brick, oyster shell, bone fragments, charcoal flecks and pebbles and were dated to the 14th or early 15th centuries. A mould/crucible fragment (small find 77) was recovered from context 15023. These deposits may be interpreted as further dumps of material to raise the ground level, alternatively they may be deliberate surfaces close to the medieval river/King's Pool frontage.
On the southern side of the excavation a linear trench with almost vertical sides and a flat base, aligned north to south, was encountered (context 15029). This measured over 1.40m long, over 0.68m wide and up to 0.38m deep. At its northern end the cut incorporated a large ovoid post-hole (context 15027) with vertical sides and a flat base which measured 0.60m in diameter. The linear cut and post-hole probably formed part of a boundary fence.
The cut and post-hole went out of use and were backfilled with friable mixed grey brown silty loam (context 15026) which contained similar inclusions to dumps 15018 and 15023-4 and 14th century pottery. Subsequently a second linear trench (context 15028) was dug. This had a very similar profile and base to context 15029 and measured over 1.30m long, over 0.50m wide and up to 0.23m deep. Two deposits were located on the northern side of the cut, friable dark brown sandy clay (15022) and grey brown silty loam (context 15025). These may have been formed by slippage from the sides of the feature, although 15022 contained butchery waste not found in the underlying deposits. At the southern end of context 15028 a second large ovoid post-hole (context 15021) was found. This had steep sides with a slight step on its northern side, a flat base and measured 0.85m long and 0.34m deep. These contexts may represent a replacement boundary feature, but this is difficult to confirm in the confines of a small trench.
After the possible boundary had fallen out of use the post within 15021 was removed and both the post-hole and trench were filled with very dark brown to dark grey silty clay dated by pottery to the 16th century (context 15020). This deposit also contained a pinners bone (small find 45) dateable to between the 15th and 17th centuries. A series of dumps was laid down which covered the western side of the trench area, obliterating the possible boundary features. The dumps consisted of friable grey ashy clay silt (context 15019) and soft dark brown or dark greyish brown clay silt (contexts 15016-7). These deposits contained brick, tile, mortar, bone (including butchery waste), shell, charcoal flecks, pebbles and cobbles in varying concentrations. Pottery from these deposits suggests that they range in date from the 16th to the late 17th or early 18th century. Context 15019 contained two iron knives (small finds 59 and 60) which are thought to be Anglo-Scandinavian in date and typologically significant. If dated to this period it suggests that the dumps contained redeposited material. A further pinners bone (small find 44) was also recovered from context 15019. The dumping therefore seems to have contained domestic, craft and butchery waste as well as redeposited material, and had the effect of raising the ground level in the area to c.7.70m AOD.
Truncating the dumped deposits on the western side of the trench was a large sub-rectangular pit with steep sloping sides and an uneven base which measured 1.30m long, 0.84m wide and 0.37m deep (context 15005). This was filled with demolition debris consisting of loose light grey mortar with brick and tile rubble (context 15002) and 16th century pottery.
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Plate 8. Trench 15 - brick culvert with silts to west |
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A construction cut (context 15034) for a large barrel vaulted culvert orientated north to south was found. This had removed almost all of the deposits in the eastern two thirds of the trench to a depth of c.6.84m AOD. Only the western side of the construction cut was within the evaluation trench. This was almost vertical and even undercut in places with a flat base and measured over 1.94m wide and 0.96m deep. A barrel vaulted brick culvert (context 15013) was constructed against the western edge of the cut 15034. This vault was 0.42m wide and c.0.30m high, the side walls being three courses high. The bricks averaged 0.23m x 0.10m x 0.06m, were laid side by side and were bonded with hard yellowish cream lime based mortar. The culvert construction cut was backfilled with soft mid brown clay silt (context 15015) and compact dark brown clay silt (contexts 15014 and 15038) which contained brick, tile, mortar, shell, bone fragments and charcoal flecks in varying concentrations. Backfill 15015 contained residual 16th or 17th century pottery but context 15014 was dated to the 18th or 19th century. The culvert was clearly a sewer and probably dated to the 18th or early 19th century, relating to housing on Dundas Street and Palmer Lane constructed during this period.
A second construction cut (context 15009) truncated the backfills described above. The sides formed a cylindrically shaped hollow. Cut 15009 was dug directly above the earlier brick culvert, followed a similar north to south orientation and was lined with bricks (which averaged 0.24m to 0.26m long x 0.12m wide x 0.08m thick) forming a vaulted culvert or support structure (context 15006). The new structure was over 1.00m long, 0.74m wide and 0.45m high, the interior of the vault measuring 0.45m wide and 0.28m high. It is probable that this extra culvert or support structure was added during the 19th century. Context 15006 collapsed and was backfilled with compact mid grey silty clay (context 15003) which was pottery dated to between the 17th and 19th century.
Truncating backfill 15003 was a third construction cut (context 15011) dug for repair work carried out on culvert 15013. This cut had steep sloping sides and measured c.1.0m wide, over 0.50m deep and truncated the northern half of context 15006. The repair consisted of iron reinforcement bars placed in a vertical line c.0.05m apart, along the eastern side of the culvert. The top of the brick culvert was sealed with compact light grey brown concrete (context 15012). The repairs were sealed with friable orange brown sandy silt (context 15010) with frequent iron concretions. The whole area to the east of the culverts was filled with friable mid brown clay
Figure 10. Trench 15 - North facing section. Scale 1:20
Figure 11. Trench 15 - East facing section. Scale 1:20
A service pipe trench (context 15008) on a north-west to south-east alignment was also encountered. This was not fully visible within the trench so its length is not known, but it was over 0.37m deep and contained a large ceramic pipe. It was backfilled with friable dark brown sandy silt (context 15001) pottery dated to the 20th century.
On top of the backfill a sequence of modern levelling deposits was found. The first consisted of compact mid brown sandy loam, which was c.1.00m thick (the top of which was at 8.72m AOD) and which was truncated on the east side of the trench by the construction cut for a north to south aligned metal gas pipe. Overlying this was friable black ashy clinker up to 0.85m thick, which was sealed by the concrete surface for the present car park at 9.74m AOD. All of the above modern deposits of 20th century date were collectively numbered (context 15000) and all except the gas pipe were removed by machine.
Trench 16 was located in the former Derwent Coach-works buildings, as close to the River Foss as was practically possible. It had originally been intended to excavate a single trench, but the presence of a structural stanchion and a live electric cable made this impossible. Trenches were thus excavated to either side of the stanchion and the cable. The western of these (Trench 16a) measured 8.60m x 2.00m and the eastern (Trench 16b) measured 6.40m x 2.00m. Both trenches were excavated by machine to a depth of 1.50m below ground level, in addition, some of the earlier deposits in Trench 16b were hand excavated. The numbering sequence ran from 16000-16027 in Trench 16a and 16100-16170 in Trench 16b.
The earliest deposit encountered were a dump of sand in excess of 0.85m thick (context 16162) in Trench 16b and a dump of compact mid grey silty-clay in Trench 16a (context 16023).
Sealing the Phase 1 dumps was a series of varied deposits (structural, dumping and floors with associated levelling and services) which raised the ground level in the area by c.1.00m.
The earliest features in both trenches were structural. In Trench 16a these consisted of a brick lined culvert with limestone flag capping stones (contexts 16027 and 16021). The culvert had partially silted up (context 16025). Nearby was a fragment of brick wall with an L shaped plan which survived to three courses high (context 16022). It is possible that the brick wall was originally part of a man-hole for the culvert. In Trench 16b there were two post pads of limestone (contexts 16165 and 16166) with an associated deposit, possibly part of a floor, of moderately compacted crushed mortar (context 16167). Context 16166 was a re-used limestone voussoir, which may have originally come from the church of St. John-in-the-Marsh.
Sealing contexts 16021 and 16022 in Trench 16a was a number of dumps (contexts 16024, 16020, 16008, 16016 and 16018). 16024, 16020 and 16008 were all silty-clays which contained building demolition rubble (concrete, mortar, brick rubble and tile) while 16016 was a dump of mortar and 16018 was a sandy clay, again with frequent building demolition material. Context 16008 contained tile of 17th century date. In Trench 16b there was an irregular cut of uncertain function (context 16161) which was beneath dumped deposits of mid to dark brown grey sandy-clay with 18th century pottery (context 16160) and grey black brown gritty sandy silt with clinker and ash (context 16159).
Sealing the dumps in both trenches were two sequences of floor surfaces with associated levelling deposits. The first sequence of floor surfaces was visible in Trench 16a and the western section of 16b. The western edge of this sequence of floors had been truncated by later cuts but clearly never extended much beyond the western part of Trench 16b. The earliest floor in this sequence consisted of a foundation cut (context 16019) beneath levelling deposits of brick rubble and grey-brown sandy-silt (contexts 16015 and 16017), which acted as the bedding for a brick floor (context 16014). Above 16014 was a levelling deposit of compact black cinder up to 4cm thick (context 16013) which was beneath a floor of machine made, red bricks, 224 x 136 x 75mm in size (contexts 16011 and 16134). Floor 16011 was itself beneath levelling deposits of compact cream lime-based mortar (context 16010), building demolition rubble (context 16133) and compact black ash and clinker (context 16009), which were beneath a floor of timber planks 3cm thick (context 16012). This timber was so rotten that it did not extend to the eastern end of Trench 16a. In Trench 16b context 16133 also acted as a levelling deposit for a thin deposit of charcoal (context 16130) which was beneath a thin deposit of mortar (context 16129). Contexts 16130 and 16129 probably represent floors or trample.
The second sequence of floors was located between c.1.00 and 2.70m from the western end of Trench 16b. Levelling deposits of light grey sandy mortar, brick and tile rubble (context 16158) and compact sandy orange brown clay (context 16155) were beneath a floor of compact friable yellow grey sandy silt (context 16154). Both 16155 and 16158 contained 18th century pottery. A deposit of compact mid brown silty sand, up to 0.05m thick (context 16152) on the upper surface of 16154 possibly represents the fill of a wear hollow. Above 16154 was a levelling deposit of black silty clay (context 16164) beneath a thin mortar floor (context 16163). Above context 16163 was a succession of thin deposits which may have been trample or floors. In order of deposition these were mid to dark grey brown silty clay (context 16116), charcoal (context 16115), light grey mortar (context 16137), friable silty charcoal (context 16114), friable silty sand (context 16113) and friable silt clay (context 16112). The two sequences of floors described above were different in character, implying that they built up to either side of a wall which no longer survives. A linear pit (context 16157) which was filled with brown-grey gritty sandy silt (context 16156) occurred directly between the two sequences of floors described above; it is possible that this represents a robber cut for the wall which originally separated the two sequences of floors.
Following the succession of floor surfaces a number of pits and service trenches were dug in Trench 16b. In the eastern half of the trench was a massive pit (contexts 16162/16153). This was filled with varied deposits including a limestone block, sandy-silts, brick rubble and clay (context 16136, 16135, 16009, 16151, 16140 and 16107). It is possible that the limestone block (context 16151) was originally a post pad associated with contexts 16165 and 16166. Two cuts for service pipes were located within Trench 16b. A cast iron pipe ran north-south near the western end of the trench (contexts 16138, 16122, 16118 and 16117) and a second pipe trench cut (contexts 16124/16141) ran obliquely across the trench. This contained a ceramic drain pipe which clearly no longer functioned (contexts 16125/16132) and grey-brown sandy silt backfill (contexts 16108/16142). Cutting 16117 was a pit of unknown function (context 16143) which was backfilled with grey-brown gritty sandy silt with ash and clinker (context 16144).
Figure 12. Trench 16a - north facing section. Scale 1:20
Figure 13. Trench 16b - north facing section. Scale 1:20
Above context 16144 was a deposit of decayed timber (context 16111) which may represent a floor. To the east was a thin deposit of charcoal (context 16106) which may also represent a floor or trample. These deposits were sealed by a number of dumps of mortar and brick rubble (context 16123), dark grey silty-clay (context 16104) and grey-brown gritty sandy silt (context 16139). Context 16139 was truncated by a pit (context 16119), which was backfilled with grey sandy-silty-clay and sandy silt with mortar (contexts 16120 and 16121). Above context 16121 was a dump of grey-brown silty-clay with lumps of mortar (context 16105).
Context 16105 was below a construction cut with a tiered edge and flat base (context 16150) which contained a concrete surface (context 16131). Above context 16131 were two brick walls surviving two courses high (contexts 16146 and 16145) which probably represent a brick lined chamber. Butting against the brick walls were two levelling deposits of dark grey brown ashy silty-clay (contexts 16103 and 16128). After the brick chamber went out of use it was filled with concrete and brick rubble (context 16147).
Above context 16012 were three thick dumps of mixed building demolition rubble and compacted black ash (contexts 16007, 16006 and 16005).
The remaining contexts related to the building recently used by Derwent Coach works. In Trench 16a this consisted of a concrete floor (context 16004) which was beneath a clearance cut (context 16026). Cut 16026 was backfilled with two layers of hard-core (contexts 16002-16003) which were beneath a further concrete floor (context 16001). In Trench 16b there was a make up deposit of bricks laid diagonally on edge (context 16102) which was beneath a succession of concrete floors (contexts 16100, 16101, 16148 and 16149).
The size of Trench 18 was restricted by the number of modern service trenches in the area and the need to maintain access to an adjacent private car park to 1.0m x 1.55m in size. It was excavated by machine to a depth of 1.50m below ground level.
The earliest deposits seen consisted of three relatively thick deposits (contexts 18015-18017). Context 18017, which was in excess of 0.35m thick, was compact mid brown gritty clayey silt with brick and tile fragments. Sealing context 18017 was very compact gritty clay-silt with frequent brick and tile fragments and some charcoal flecks (context 18016). Context 18016 was in turn beneath compact black-grey gritty silt with frequent tile flecks and 15/16th century pottery and 16th century tile (context 18015). Within the confines of a small trench it is difficult to interpret these deposits, they may represent dumping or levelling deposits to create an even surface.
Above the Phase 1 contexts was a number of deposits interpreted as dumps. The earliest of these (contexts 18014, 18013 and 18019) incorporated building material implying the demolition of nearby structures. Context 18014 was compact crushed white mortar with occasional fragments of tile, while contexts 18013 and 18019 were gritty silts with brick and tile fragments. The dumps were beneath a series of very compacted deposits with horizontal upper surfaces. The compacted deposits consisted of gritty silt with frequent ash, clinker and brick fragments, or ash, slag and clinker (contexts 18012, 18011, 18010, 18009, 18008 and 18007). The presence of clinker implies a late 19th century date for these deposits.
Figure 14. Trench 18 - north facing section
Cutting into the Phase 2 deposits was a pit 0.55m deep and in excess of 0.55m wide (context 18004) which was backfilled with compact mid brown-black clinker, ash and gritty silt containing 18th century pottery (context 18003). In addition the Phase 2 contexts were truncated by a modern service pipe trench (context 18018) which was 0.78m deep and contained a metal pipe, 0.12m in diameter (context 18006). This was backfilled with dark grey-brown gritty silt with frequent clinker, ash, brick and tile (context 18005). Sealing the deposits described above was a compact deposit of brick rubble 0.25m thick (context 18002) which was the levelling deposit beneath the present tarmac road surface (context 18001) at 9.41m AOD.
Medieval deposits were only uncovered in Trench 15, but almost certainly exist at deeper levels in both Trenches 16 and 18. The Trench 15 medieval deposits consist of river silts (Trench 15 Phase 1). The complexity and variation in height at which river and King's Pool silts occurred has been described in an earlier report (Macnab 1999c, 32) and it is unclear exactly how the Trench 15 deposits fit into this overall assessment, but they appear to be at a relatively high level AOD. The river silts were cut by a wicker lined feature of uncertain purpose either part of land reclamation or a fish trap (Trench 15 Phase 2). The area was then used for dumping of domestic waste in the 14th or early 15th century, which had the effect of reclaiming the land and raising the ground level. Two successive linear features probably representing property boundaries (Trench 15 Phase 3) were then erected.
Deposits of post-medieval date (16th to mid 19th century) were uncovered in all of the Group 5 trenches. In Trench 15 (Trench 15 Phase 4) there was a build up of dumped material ranging in date from the 16th to the early 18th centuries, which contained an interesting assemblage of butchery waste (see Appendix - EAU report). The evidence suggested that stock improvement was being undertaken and that juvenile cattle were being culled for veal (a by-product of the dairy industry), both indicative of the agricultural revolution. These dumps effectively reclaimed the area and raised the ground level further. The earliest deposits in Trench 18 were dated to the 16th century (Trench 18 Phase 1). The small trench size limits interpretation of these deposits but their compaction implies that they may have been road surfaces. In Trench 16 the earliest deposits (Trench 16 Phase 1) were massive dumps of relatively clean material. These may be associated with the canalisation of the River Foss in 1793 and probably represent levelling to raise the ground level behind the canal walls.
Modern deposits (late 19th century and 20th century) formed the overwhelming bulk of the contexts in Group 5. Throughout this period Trench 18 was directly on the street of Hungate (Ordnance Survey maps of 1852, 1909 and 1937). A series of dumped deposits acted as levelling for a succession of road surfaces (Trench 18 Phase 3). Many of these surfaces were made from industrial debris, (ash, slag and clinker) which was probably produced by industries in the immediate vicinity. This fits with the pattern of increasing industrialisation seen on the Ordnance Survey maps listed above.
In Trench 16 a series of structural features (Phase 2) were located. These included a post-pad wall with associated mortar floor, a brick lined culvert and associated brick feature and two sequences of floor deposits which probably accumulated either side of a brick wall. Since the Trench 16 area consisted of gardens as late as 1822 (Edward Baines' map) all of these features must be of mid 19th century or later date, even though the only dating evidence recovered was of 17th or 18th century date. The floors were beneath dumps, service trenches, possible floors, further dumps, a concrete hard-standing and a brick lined chamber. The Trench 16 Phase 2 features almost certainly relate to the Union Gas Works (OS 1852) or the Hungate Saw Mills (OS 1909).
Deposits of 20th century date were located in all
three Group 5 trenches. The most recent features in
Trench 18 (Phase 3) consisted of a pit cut (context
18004). It seems odd to have dug a pit in the middle
of a road, which may suggest the pit was an oblique
section through a service trench cut. The remaining
features in Trench 18 consisted of modern service pipes
and the present road surface.
In Trench 15 the modern deposits (Trench 15 Phase 5)
consisted of a brick sewer and a brick culvert of 19th
century date. The sewer was repaired in the 20th century
and then sealed by dumps into which a service pipe trench
and gas pipe trench were cut. These features were sealed
by a modern concrete car park surface.
In Trench 16 the most recent features consisted of a dump of demolition debris (contexts 16007, 16006 and 16005). These probably relate to the clearance of the area in the 1930s (OS 1937). The demolition debris was beneath the floor surfaces of the Derwent Coach works (Trench 16 Phase 3).
Group 1 | Group 2 | Group 3 | Group 4 | Group 5 | Group 6 | Group 7 | Group 8