York Historic Environment Record

Between 1st and 13th June 2012 York Archaeological Trust undertook a watching brief on works at 5 Tower Place, York. The objective was to record any deposits, features or buried structures exposed during the excavation of a new drain trench within the existing building and the stripping of a small area towards the rear of the property for a small extension to the exterior. The site lies within the City of York Central Area of Archaeological Importance and within the precinct of the former Augustinian Priory. The City of York Historic Environment Record was contacted and the site was assigned the HER reference EYO4630. Recording was by means of written notes and measured sketches supplemented by a number of colour digital photographs. Two representative sections were recorded. No remains associated with the former friary were noted during this watching brief but may exist further down. Most of the deposits noted appeared to be levelling or make-up deposits possibly laid down so as to raise the ground level to reduce the risk of flooding given the property’s proximity to the River Ouse. The stone slabs seen both inside (1001) and outside (1007) are of some interest, however. They are very similar in size, shape and depth and seem to be part of the same overall surface indicating that the former kitchen, utility room and study were themselves extensions to the original structure and had been added after the establishment of the present south-west boundary wall. The date of this wall is unknown but information from the City of York Historic Environment Record and the English Heritage website Heritage Gateway indicates that Tower Place dates from the early 19th century