York Historic Environment Record

Evidence for ridge and furrow ploughing was found in all three areas to the north-west of Bur Dike. The alignments differed from area to area and may indicate an earlier field system to the present one. A possible ditch or headland was located in Area 3 immediately adjacent to an existing field boundary. A probable metal pipe of relatively modern origin was detected in Area 2 apparently heading for the Clifton Hotel adjacent to Water Lane. The south-west part of Area 1, close to the demolished Pigeon Cote Farm, and all of Area 4, south-west of Bur Dike were regions of intense magnetic anomalies precluding the detection of archaeological features. This is a small assemblage of pottery, much of which is heavily abraded and shows evidence of having been churned about, most probably as a result of ploughing. The condition of much of the pottery was such that definite identification was not possible beyond ascribing it to a broad chronological period. Two sediment samples and a small box of animal bones were presented for analysis of their bioarchaeological potential. The sediment samples were considered of extremely low potential after initial inspection. The vertebrate remains consisted of two neonatal individuals, one calf probably dated to the Roman period and one caprovid probably dated to the post-medieval period. If the pottery analysis confirms the tentative dates supplied by the excavator then it is possible that the Roman calf may be interpreted as a ‘special deposit’. NMR Information: YORYM: 1997.95. Evaluation in advance of residential development included a geophysical survey (EHGSDB Visit No: 2265), revealing possible Roman boundary ditches but no evidence for military works such as the nearby Clifton Moor camps. NMR Microfilm Index PRN: 7759. Sources: Britannia : a journal of Romano-British and kindred studies Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies 341 30/1999