EYO4451 - 20 Fetter Lane

Type

WATCHING BRIEF

Location

Location 20 Fetter Lane
Grid reference Centred SE 6006 5158 (22m by 32m) (2 map features)
Map sheet SE65SW
Unitary Authority City of York, North Yorkshire

Technique(s)

Organisation

York Archaeological Trust

Date

2008

Map

Description

Between March and June 2008 York Archaeological Trust undertook an archaeological watching brief at 20 Fetter Lane, York (NGR SE 6006 5157). The work involved the monitoring and recording of all groundworks that were likely to encounter archaeological deposits. The principal groundworks observed were the drilling for the piles and the cutting of the foundation trenches but a number of excavations to remove underground obstructions were also recorded. The foundation trenches were generally c.0.7- 1m wide but varied considerably in depth depending on location, ranging from c.0.9m towards the north of the site to 1.5m at the southern end, adjacent to the Fetter Lane frontage. The site was being redeveloped by Moorside Developments of Strensall, York. The watching brief at this site recovered valuable evidence for activity from the Roman period to the present day. Due to the nature of the data recovery any interpretation of the available evidence has to be tentative but it would appear that Roman terracing, known from the site at 18A – 19 Fetter Lane may also be present on the current site and some of the deeper obstructions encountered within the pile holes may be parts of Roman stone structures, also well known in the general area. The waterlogged organic deposits seen across much of the site are likely to be of Anglo-Scandinavian date and are likely to represent a rich archaeological resource worthy of investigation should an opportunity arise. Medieval stone walls were encountered but again interpretation is difficult although they probably were the remains of structures of some note and significance fronting onto Fetter Lane. Later structures, deposits and features had largely been removed by post-medieval and modern activity but may survive in patches across and around the site. 2 entries on NMR 20 Fetter Lane and Land at Price's Lane (1542336)

Sources/Archives (2)

  • --- Unpublished document: YAT. 2008. 20 Fetter Lane York.
  • --- Digital archive: NMR. 2019. NMR data.

Related Monuments/Buildings (4)

  • Medieval stone wall (Monument)
  • Medieval stone wall (Monument)
  • Medieval stone walls (Monument)
  • Possible Roman building (Monument)

Child/subsequent Site Events/Activities (18)

  • 20 Fetter Lane York: Pile hole 51 (Ref: 2008/73)
  • 20 Fetter Lane York: Pile hole 20 (Ref: 2008/73)
  • 20 Fetter Lane York: Pile hole 31 (Ref: 2008/73)
  • 20 Fetter Lane York: Pile hole 33 (Ref: 2008/73)
  • 20 Fetter Lane York: Pile hole 34 (Ref: 2008/73)
  • 20 Fetter Lane York: Pile hole 29 (Ref: 2008/73)
  • 20 Fetter Lane York: Pile hole 35 (Ref: 2008/73)
  • 20 Fetter Lane York: Pile hole 36 (Ref: 2008/73)
  • 20 Fetter Lane York: Pile hole 53 (Ref: 2008/73)
  • 20 Fetter Lane York: Pile hole 41 (Ref: 2008/73)
  • 20 Fetter Lane York: Pile hole 43 (Ref: 2008/73)
  • 20 Fetter Lane York: Pile hole 48 (Ref: 2008/73)
  • 20 Fetter Lane York: Pile hole 55 (Ref: 2008/73)
  • 20 Fetter Lane York: Pile hole 60 (Ref: 2008/73)
  • 20 Fetter Lane York: Pile hole 63 (Ref: 2008/73)
  • 20 Fetter Lane York: Pile hole 74 (Ref: 2008/73)
  • 20 Fetter Lane York: Pile hole 85 (Ref: 2008/73)
  • 20 Fetter Lane York: Pile hole 64 (Ref: 2008/73)

Record last edited

Feb 10 2021 10:21AM

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