EYO37 - Tower 9, York City Walls Excavation
Type
EXCAVATION
Location
Location | Tower 9, York City Walls |
---|---|
Grid reference | SE 5990 5136 (point) |
Map sheet | SE55SE |
Unitary Authority | City of York, North Yorkshire |
Technique(s)
Organisation
York Archaeological Trust
Date
Jul - 1992
Description
Excavation Trench: In response to a specffication drawn up for York City Council by their Principal Archaeologist, York Archaeological Trust excavated two irregular trenches on both sides of Tower 9, York City WaIls, (between Nunnery Lane and Lower Priory Street
(NGR SE59915136). Work was necessitated by an engineering scheme developed by York City Engineers and English Heritage
to arrest lateral movement and general dilapidation and this scheme dictated the
depth and extent of the excavations. The work tcok place during May and June
1992 as a sub-contract to York City Council Direct Labour Organisation, who were
themselves the main contractor to York City Council. Due to the early discovery of a series of important archaeological features
beneath the upstanding masonry, the method of excavation was changed. An area
c.0.6m wide around the full external face of the tower was excavated at one Iine to
a point level with the base of the existing wall. This was infinitely more satisfactory
from an archaeological point of view as it allowed a more comprehensive picture
to be gained of the complex deposits. The work revea1ed that an earlier stone tower had been erected on top of an existing earth bank possibly in the course of the 13th century. This was then substantially remodelled by being either entirely rebuilt as circular, or perhaps more likely D-shaped. This may have taken place in the fourteenth
century. Later works probably belong to the Victorian period and relate to the
consolidation and display of this monument. Finally extensive modern
squatter occupation shows something of the failings of the welfare state!
RCHME microfilm PN: 3281
Sources/Archives (2)
Related Monuments/Buildings (1)
- MYO4232 YORK CITY WALLS (TOWER 9) (Monument)
Record last edited
Sep 8 2020 1:09PM