York Archaeological Trust
Nine probe-holes were sunk to investigate the depth of deposits and the level of contamination of the strata beneath the modern petrol station and car repair workshop. Probe-holes 1 to 3 were positioned on the former petrol station site. Probe-holes 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 were located in a private car park just to the south-east of the present car repair workshop. Number 5 was located just inside the back entrance to the workshop on Dundas Street. All of the probe-holes were cored to a maximum depth of 6.00m below the present ground surface except probe-hole 2, which was cored to 6.5m. The following probe-hole logs give approximate depths and descriptions of deposits in chronological order from the bottom up. An attempt has been made to relate the deposits observed to either natural or anthroprogenic processes.
The probe-hole was cored to 4.5m AOD close to the wall of St. Crux’s burial ground at the western side of the petrol station yard. The earliest deposits observed were of glacial origin, the top of natural being located at 6.1m AOD. The deposits consisted of compact reddish orange sandy clay (1022) and mid brownish silvery orange very sandy clay (1021). Sealing this was a deposit of mid orange brown silty clay with charcoal flecks (1020) 0.40m thick, which may represent a layer of disturbed natural.
At 6.6m AOD a dark grey organic silt (1019) appeared, this was sealed by a 0.05m thick deposit of compact pure orange brown clay (1018) and then a 0.8m thick deposit of mid to dark reddish brown silty clay (1017) with occasional coarse angular and rounded gravel inclusions. These three deposits may be the back-fills of a deep Roman feature, the top of which was at c.7.45m AOD, or layers of occupation followed by a build-up of agricultural soil. Sealing this was a 0.05m thick layer of dark grey silty clay (1016) which may represent a turf line. Further possible Roman deposits included a dump of mid reddish brown silty clay (1015) with occasional bright orange clay flecks (0.3m thick) overlain by a 0.29m thick layer of demolition debris or levelling consisting of limestone and greenish grey micacious sandstone rubble (1014). Layers of compact orangy brown clay (1013) 0.04m thick and tenacious dark grey silty clay (1012) 0.12m thick may represent further late Roman floor surfaces, which were sealed by a thick dump of compact mid to dark greyish green silty clay (1011) at 8.6m AOD. A mid orange brown sandy clay (1010), 0.2m thick, with occasional brick and tile, sandstone and degraded mortar fragments, may represent the final demolition of Roman buildings, possibly in the late Roman period or the Anglo-Saxon/Anglo-Scandinavian period.
Three deposits of waterlogged organic material then sealed the earlier deposits and may represent Anglo-Scandinavian activity in the area. These included mid reddish brown slightly organic clay silt (1009), 0.2m thick; compact coarse greenish gritty gravel (1008), 0.1m thick, which was interpreted as a surface, and a thick layer of dark grey to black organic silt (1007) 0.40m thick which appeared in the probe-hole 1m below the present ground surface at 9.5m AOD. Sealing this was a dump of sticky greenish grey brown clay silt (1006) with charcoal and mid orange clay flecks which may be of medieval date. This was in turn was sealed at 9.9m AOD by a compact reddish orange clay (1005) with occasional burnt reddish orange clay flecks and rounded gravel which may represent a medieval hearth structure. Sealing this was a possible floor or levelling layer of compact mid greenish orange sandy silty clay (1004) 0.1m thick. At this point in the sequence, at 10m AOD, the deposits were truncated by modern ground clearance and terracing to build the petrol station. A thick friable layer of dark grey coarse gravel hard-core (1003), a thin bedding layer of yellow coarse sand (1002) and a layer of tarmac (1001) finally sealed the area at 10.5m AOD.
The probe-hole was cored to 3.69m AOD and was located close to The Stonebow in the forecourt of the former petrol station. The earliest deposits encountered were of glacial origin and consisted of compact dense orange brown silty sand (2022), which was sealed at 4.14m AOD by tenacious mottled mid orange brown sandy clay with charcoal flecks (2021), interpreted as a layer of disturbed natural. Four layers of clay silt (2017-20); the two earliest mid brown, the third mid to dark brownish grey and the fourth mid to dark grey in colour, sealed natural deposits from 5.19m AOD. These were 0.25m, 0.30m and 0.25m thick respectively and are interpreted as dumps or former plough soils of possible Roman date.
Above this was a series of rich organic waterlogged deposits up to 3.1m thick, which first appeared in the probe-hole at 8.29m AOD. The earliest of these deposits was a dark grey organic gritty silt 0.90m thick with rounded and angular gravel (2016). This was sealed by a dark grey organic silt (2015) 0.35m thick which contained lenses of pure black organic material. Both of these deposits may be dumps or accumulations of occupation material of Anglo-Scandinavian date. Sealing them from 6.99m AOD was a series of three possible occupation surfaces. The earliest was a tenacious mid grey to tan brown sandy clay (2014) 0.20m thick which was overlain by a sticky dark grey to black organic sandy silt (2013) 0.20m thick, and then a layer of banded friable mixed dark grey gravels silts and fine sands (2012) 0.15m thick. A further series of thick organic dumps or accumulations which may be of Anglo-Scandinavian or early medieval date then accumulated consisting of dark greenish grey brown to black organic sandy silt (2011) 0.85m thick, a dark greenish grey sandy silt (2010) 0.10m thick, and a dark grey brown to black organic sandy silt (2009) with occasional degraded wood and bone fragments 0.35m thick. A dump of dark grey slightly sandy silty clay (2008), 0.7m thick, with occasional angular gravel, brick and tile fragments and charcoal flecks then overlay the organic deposits from 8.99m AOD or 1.2m below the surface. The latter deposit was possibly medieval in date and was overlain by a fine yellow orange sand (2007) and a layer of brick and tile fragments (2006), possibly the bedding and foundations for a similarly dated building close to the Hungate street frontage. This was later sealed by a layer of degraded lime based mortar (2005), with brick and tile fragments which may be demolition or levelling material.
The archaeological deposits were truncated at 0.75m below the surface, or 9.44m AOD, by a modern road consisting of a layer of broken concrete and cement mortar (2004) 0.25m thick, and a layer of large cobbles (2003), which appeared at 0.30m below the ground surface or 9.89m AOD. This may be interpreted as an improvement to Hungate prior to the construction of The Stonebow in 1955. The hard-core and bedding material (2002) for the tarmac petrol station fore court surface (2001) finally levelled up the area to 10.19m AOD.
This probe-hole was excavated to 4.11m AOD and was situated close to The Stonebow on the eastern side of the garage forecourt. The earliest deposit encountered was of glacial origin and consisted of mid orange brown sandy clay (3030) first encountered at 4.46m AOD. It was sealed by a mid orangy grey sandy silt (3029), 0.10m thick, which may represent a turf line or plough soil, of possible Roman date. Overlying this was a thin layer of limestone fragments (3028) up to 0.05m thick, which has been interpreted as a levelling or demolition deposit. Three deposits then sealed this up to 4.96m AOD. A dark grey organic silt (3027) 0.10m thick with occasional bone fragments, a mid orangy brown sandy clay (3026) 0.10m thick, interpreted as a surface or floor, and a further dark grey organic silt (3025) with occasional bone fragments 0.15m thick. The latter deposits may be a sequence of Roman occupation and accumulation deposits. Dark brown clay silt (3024) 0.25m thick and stiff dark grey brown silty clay (3023) 0.40m thick then sealed the occupation deposits and may be Roman plough-soils or dumps which levelled the area to 5.61m AOD.
These were then sealed by 2.86m of waterlogged deposits containing well preserved organic material which were first encountered at 8.47m AOD. They are likely to be of Anglo-Scandinavian or early medieval date. The earliest of these was a dump or build-up of dark grey organic silty clay (3022) 0.50m thick. This was sealed by a series of seven layers which have been interpreted as floor surfaces and occupation deposits. The earliest was a possible floor layer of mid to dark greenish grey brown organic sandy clay (3021) 0.16m thick. This was overlain by a very organic sandy silt (3020) with frequent bone fragments also 0.16m thick. A second possible floor layer of mid brown silty clay (3019) then covered the earlier occupation deposits, and was itself sealed by a very organic sandy silt (3018) with frequent bone fragments. Further accumulation or occupation deposits (3015-17) consisting of dark grey organic gritty silt (0.20m thick), mid greenish grey organic silty sand (0.15m thick - a third floor?) and a dark grey to black organic silt with frequent bone fragments 0.20m thick then raised the level of the ground to 7.31m AOD. Three dumps (3012-14) or accumulations of mid red brown clay silt (0.20m thick), mid orangy brown clay silt (0.60m thick) and a dark grey brown organic gritty silt (0.36m) appear to have levelled the area to 8.47m AOD or 1.64m below the present ground surface.
A sequence of seven well stratified occupation and floor deposits 0.84m thick, probably relating to properties fronting onto Hungate and of medieval date, then built up. These included mid grey sandy clay (3011) 0.12m thick, sticky mid yellow brown clay sand (3010) 0.06m thick, friable grey brown angular gravel and creamy white mortar fragments (3009) 0.24m thick, mid greenish grey silty clay (3008) 0.06m thick and a second layer of friable grey brown angular gravel (3007) 0.16m thick.
A layer of limestone fragments (3006) 0.03m thick then sealed the earlier deposits forming the bedding for a possible brick wall (3005), at 9.31m AOD. Two layers of probable post-medieval dumped material (3003-4) consisting of a compact mid yellow brown sandy silt 0.20m thick, and a compact mid brown sandy loam 0.30m thick then built-up. These were truncated at 9.81m AOD by terracing activity associated with the construction of the petrol station. A layer of hard-core, sand bedding (3002) and tarmac (3001) then raised the ground level to its current height of 10.11m AOD.
This probe-hole was cored to 5.23m AOD and was positioned just inside the back entrance of the car repair workshop on Dundas Street. The earliest deposits encountered were of glacial origin and included reddish brown clay (5011), banded orange yellow gravels, sands and reddish orange clays (5010) and compact orange brown gravel and coarse grit (5009). The upper surface of these deposits was situated at 7.66m AOD. Sealing this was a series of four deposits. The earliest was a reddish orange sandy clay (5008) 0.37m thick. This was overlain by a mottled light yellow and dark brown sandy clay (5007) 0.10m thick, which was subsequently sealed by a mid orange brown clay silt (5006) 0.30m thick and a dark brownish grey gritty sandy silt (5005) 0.8m thick. All of the above deposits were undated and are interpreted as dumps or build-ups of material from the Roman to the medieval period.
A possible cellar cut was recognised at 9.23m AOD. A layer of brick and tile fragments (5004) 1.35m thick had been used to backfill it. A levelling dump of very compact dark grey brown clay silt (5003) with occasional charcoal flecks sealed the cellar backfill at 10.78m AOD. Hard-core (5002) was then laid down for the reinforced concrete slab (5001) associated with the present floor of the car repair workshop, which levelled the area off at 11.23m AOD.
The probe-hole was cored to 3.89m AOD and was positioned within the private car park to the south-east of the car repair workshop half way between Hungate and Dundas Street. The earliest deposits encountered were glacial in origin and were seen at 8.43m AOD. These included plastic mid purplish grey brown silty clay (8010), loose reddish gingery brown medium grained sand (8007 and 8009), plastic mid to dark grey clay silt (8008), loose banded mid orange brown silty sand and grey brown silty clay (8006), and friable pale orange brown silty sand (8005). Above the natural deposits two archaeological layers were located, a plastic pale grey brown silty clay (8004) with occasional charcoal and burnt clay flecks 0.24m thick, and a friable mid grey brown sandy clay silt (8003) 0.73m thick with occasional charcoal and mortar flecks, small brick and tile fragments and pale brown sand patches. Both are thought to be dumps or build-ups of anthroprogenic origin but of uncertain date. Truncating this at 9.40m AOD was a terracing cut for a private car-park to the south-east of the car repair work-shop. Hard-core (8002) and tarmac (8001) then raised the ground surface to 9.89m AOD.
The probe-hole was cored to 3.85m AOD and was also situated within the private car-park, closer to Hungate than PH8. Natural glacial deposits appeared from 6.02m AOD and consisted of compact plastic red brown clay (9017), banded brownish orange sand (9016) and mid orange brown clays.
The earliest archaeological deposits consisted of a mid greenish orange grey sand (9015) 0.05m thick, which was sealed by an accumulation or dump of dark red brown to black organic gritty silt (9014) 0.08m thick. A possible levelling layer or floor of light grey slightly sandy silty clay (9013) also 0.08m thick then sealed the organic deposit, which was subsequently overlain by a dark greenish grey organic slightly sandy silt (9012) 0.14m thick and then by banded lenses of dark brown red brown and black organic gritty gravelly silts (9011) 0.38m thick. All of the above deposits are interpreted as occupation deposits of Anglo-Scandinavian or earlier date and were encountered below 6.75m AOD. Above this four dumps, build-ups or levelling deposits (9007-10) of possible late Anglo-Scandinavian to medieval date were laid down. These consisted of a mid grey gritty clay silt 0.27m thick, a mid orangy brown sandy clay 0.29m thick, a dark greyish green gritty clay silt 0.24m thick, and a dark grey brown clay silt 0.30m thick. A dump of mid orangy brown silty clay (9006) 0.50m thick with patches of yellow sand and occasional brick, tile and mortar fragments then built up. This was overlain by a possible medieval demolition or levelling dump (9005) of brick and tile fragments 0.55m thick. Sealing this was a dark grey brown silty sand (9004) 0.15m thick which may have formed the bedding for a rough wall or floor built of brick and tile fragments (9003) which appeared at 9.21m AOD. A dump or build-up of compact dark grey brown sandy silt (9002) 0.48m thick overlay this and may be of medieval or post-medieval date. The terracing cut for the construction of the private car park truncated the earlier deposits at 9.69m AOD or 0.16m below the present ground surface. Hard-core and tarmac (9001) finally levelled the area up to 9.85m AOD.
The probe-hole was cored to 3.79m AOD and was situated on the Hungate street frontage just inside the entrance to the private car-park. Natural glacial deposits appeared within the probe-hole below 6.52m AOD and consisted entirely of banded red brown orangy pink and orange fine grained sands with stiff orangy brown clays (10028).
The earliest archaeological deposit was a mixed mottled green and light greyish yellow brown sand (10027) 0.15m thick, which was sealed by a mid to dark greyish green sandy silt (10026) 0.42m thick. Above this two layers of mid brown sandy silt (10025-6), 0.05m and 0.20m thick respectively, were differentiated by their inclusions, the lower deposit containing more charcoal and light greyish orange clay flecks than the upper. A yellow brown silty sand (10024) 0.07m thick overlay the earlier deposits and was sealed by a layer of dark green to black organic matter (10023) of similar thickness consisting of thick grass or reed stems. A dark grey organic sandy silt accumulation or dump (10022) levelled the area up to 7.79m AOD. All of the above deposits were thought to be associated with the Anglo-Scandinavian period or earlier and are interpreted as occupation or dump type deposits.
Overlying these was a long complex series of finely interleaved occupation deposits (10003-21) 1.7m thick which are probably of medieval and post-medieval date and are interpreted as internal floors and accumulations associated with a property on the Hungate street frontage. These appeared in the probe-hole from 0.30m below the present ground surface or 9.49m AOD and consisted of ash, charcoal, mid greenish to dark grey brown and reddish brown sandy silts and silty sands, light to dark grey, grey brown and orange clays and silty clays, layers of brick and tile fragments and lenses of creamy white lime based mortar. The upper 0.57m (10003-5) of this sequence may be late medieval or post-medieval in origin as deposits contained coke and coal fragments as inclusions. A terracing cut for the private car park truncated deposits at 9.49m AOD and hard-core and concrete (10001-2) finally levelled the area up to 9.79m AOD.
The probe-hole was cored to 3.98m AOD and was situated in the private car park just south-west of the car repair work-shop and close to Dundas Street. The earliest deposits encountered were glacial in origin and were found at 8.32m AOD. They consisted of dark brownish grey and light to mid chocolate brown silty clays with lenses of silty sand, stiff mid grey brown slightly sandy clay and silty sand and banded brownish sands (11008-13).
The earliest archaeological deposit observed was friable mid grey silty sand 0.42m thick with charcoal and pinkish brown clay flecks (11007). This contained a sherd of Roman Black Burnished ware pottery dateable to the 2nd or 3rd century AD. It was sealed by a similar deposit 0.24m thick which was slightly greyer in colour (11006). Two layers of plastic mid brownish grey sandy clay (11004-5), 0.30m and 0.20m thick respectively, and a silty clay (11003) of similar colour (0.20m thick) then sealed the underlying deposits. All of the above deposits are interpreted as dumps, build-ups or levelling deposits of Roman or later date. Truncating these deposits at 9.68m AOD, or 0.30m below the present ground surface, was a terracing cut for the modern private car park. A layer of hard-core and tarmac (11001-2) finally levelled the area up to 9.98m AOD.
The probe-hole was cored to 4.01m AOD and was situated at the south-eastern edge of the private car park close to Dundas Street. Deposits of glacial origin were the earliest located within the probe-hole, the top of natural being situated between 8.81m and 9.01m AOD. They consisted of loose orange brown coarse sand and pebbly gravel, plastic pale to mid grey clay silt, pale brown silty clay, mid grey brown sandy clay silt and light greyish brown silty sand (12007-14).
The earliest archaeological deposit was a friable mid grey sandy clay silt (12006) 0.15m thick with occasional charcoal and yellow sandy clay flecks and brick and tile fragments. This was sealed by a 0.06m thick layer of clay silt (12005) which was slightly browner in colour. A sandy silt of similar colour (12004) and 0.28m thick then covered the earlier deposits. This was itself overlain by a friable dark grey sandy clay silt (12003) 0.22m thick. All of the above deposits were interpreted as dumps or build-ups of uncertain date, which were truncated by the terracing cut for the modern private car park at 9.72m AOD or 0.29m below the present ground surface. Hard-core and tarmac (12001-2) then levelled the area up to 10.01m AOD.