York Historic Environment Record

Both the evaluation (2001) and the present excavation have shown that despite considerable modem disturbance and destruction in the immediate area there is a lot of archaeology in the area of development all of which is likely to be removed or very seriously damaged should the proposed development proceed. There are several interesting aspects to the site commencing with the Roman ditches which are of at least two phases and appear to have the central slots, commonly known as "ankle breakers" in their base. These ditches are thought to be for drainage and to be related to agricultural practices. It is not clear whether they are purely civilian or perhaps relate to the presumed legionary territorium of which nothing is known in York. The medieval features are also of some considerable interest because they clearly indicate that the area was occupied and in use for some considerable time, possibly between the 12 th and 15ffi centunes, and were of some importance to justify the large ditch which seems to enclose the principal features. Given the dating and location of the recovered evidence it would perhaps suggest that these features are at least associated with St Nicholas's Hospital, the main part of which lay to the east of the present site. This would make the hospital and its associated structures far larger and extensive than previously thought. This excavation has revealed that the area has a far greater archaeological potential than once thought and by revealing the wooden barrel well and previously unsuspected organic deposits has shown some of the limitations inherent in an evaluation excavation.