EYO11 - Ideal Laundry, Trinity Lane
Type
EVALUATION
Location
Location | Trinity Lane |
---|---|
Grid reference | Centred SE 5995 5152 (61m by 52m) (2 map features) |
Map sheet | SE55SE |
Unitary Authority | City of York, North Yorkshire |
Technique(s)
Organisation
York Archaeological Trust
Date
Feb - 1991
Description
Evaluation: 3 trenches and 2 boreholes.
In February and March 1991, the York Archaeological Trust undertook three weeks of evaluative excavation on part of the former ldeal Laundry site, Trinity Lane, York.
The work was carried out on behalf of London Ebor Developments
PLC, in advance of a proposed office development.
Two trenches were opened by machine, but after the removal of approximately 1.Om and 0.4m of modern deposits respectively, excavation was continued entirely by hand.
Trench 1 measured 3m square, and was located at the south end of the site, the position of one of the proposed office blocks.
This trench was to be excavated to the top of Roman deposits which were expected to extend to a maximum depth of 2.5m below the surface. However, this depth was exceeded, due to the
presence of pits cutting both Roman and natural deposits and reached a maximum depth of 3.5m.
Trench 2 was also 3m square. It was located at the northern end of the site, where the second proposed affice block was located.
It was considered possible that medieval burials might be
encountered in this trench and excavation was thus planned to
cease when the top of the medieval levels was reached.
During the excavation, an exploratory hole was dug into the
cellar floor of Towers' Folly (a seventeenth-century building on
the site) by Simons Engineering Ltd., and observed by the City
Council's Principal Archaeologist. This was recorded (as Trench
3) by the York Archaeological Trust as part of the existing
evaluation project.
This site represents a most important resource for the
understanding of the development of settlement in York. It is in
an area of York that is of considerable archaeological potential,
where there has been a great deal of destruction of
archaeological deposits in the past, but relatively little
controlled archaeological investigation.
The post-medieval gardens would be of limited interest, although
it should be noted that substantial garden features (notably a
summer house towards the southern end of the site) might be
encountered. Any development at the northen end of the site
affecting the remains of post-medieval buildings along the
Trinity Lane frontage, and rebuilding works affecting the major
brick building (Towers' Folly), would necessitate appropriate
investigation and recording.
R similar situation is likely for the medieval period, although
the remains of domestic and industrial activity in the area
behind the street frontage would be of interest. Moreover, any
medieval buildings which could survive on the street front and
which would be disturbed by the proposed development would
require archaeological investigation.
In view of our incomplete understanding of even the basic
character and extent of the Anglo-Scandinavian town, and Anglian
settlement in particular, any evidence of such occupation is of
particular importance.
The complex late Roman deposits encountered during the evaluative
excavations are of exceptional importance, as they are rarely
encountered in York. Such remains would provide vital evidence
of the transition from Roman to Anglian York. Should destruction
of these deposits prove unavoidable, their most thorough
archaeological excavation and recording would be necessary.
The earlier Roman deposits would be of great interest
archaeologically, as the nature of development of the Roman town
is still a mystery. The likely presence of substantial masonry
buildings might also obstruct deep foundations. Any Prehistoric
settlement activity - so far unknown in York - evident on the
site would also warrant appropriate archaeological excavation and
recording.
Apart from the importance of the sequence of deposits, other
archaeological aspects have to be taken into account. The
significance of the Trinity Lane frontage has already been
discussed, but it might also be possible to determine the point
at which the Roman street pattern was abandoned in favour of the
street layout that essentially survives to this day, this would
have implications for York as a whole.
10
Locating the boundaries of Holy Trinity Priory and any of the
adjacent pre-Norman Conquest churches would be of great
archaeological value; such boundaries, which may be major
topographical features such a massive masonry walls or large
banks and ditches, might affect any development. Should part or
all of the site prove to be within the Priory, the presence of
(possibly large masonry) buildings forming part of the Priory
complex south of the church is possible.
The presence of burials would necessitate appropriate excavation
and recording under the Burial Act and its various amendments.
In view of the proximity of two churches (and their attendant
cemeteries), it is considered a distinct possibility that burials
do occur on the site, most likely at the northern and ~outhern
ends.
Finally, the degree of preservation of certain of the organic
remains on the site was found to be quite high, particularly in
those deposits that ].ay closer to the water table. Consequently,
any features cut into the natural sub-soil probably contain
waterlogged deposits bearing well-preserved organic remains and
environmental evidence
Sources/Archives (3)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Child/subsequent Site Events/Activities (4)
Record last edited
Feb 10 2021 3:34PM