York Historic Environment Record

Between 10 August and 19 October 2007 York Archaeological Trust carried out an archaeological excavation (Trench D4) in advance of the redevelopment of Block D, part of the Hungate (York) Regeneration Ltd (HYRL) scheme. The earliest deposits encountered were probable Anglo-Norman (c.11th century) levelling deposits, which may have been laid down in response to flooding from the King’s Pool. They were cut by Anglo-Norman (possible 12th century) pits. Further levelling deposits, of late medieval (possible 14th century) date were deposited in the south-west part of the trench. This activity may also have been required due to flooding from the King’s Pool. The deposits were cut by late medieval (possible 15th century) pits. Levelling deposits at the north-east end of the trench were cut by a probable early 16th century bricklined well. A change in land use from pit-digging is indicated by a series of probable horticultural trenches at the north-east end of the trench, dating to the 17th century. Similar features were found in the south-west part of the trench, but apparently dating to the 18th century. They were succeeded by irregular, probable garden features in the early 19th century. Around the second quarter of the 19th century, brick houses with cess pits to their rear were built on the south-west edge of the trench, presumably alongside the newly-established Dundas Street; they have been identified as 21 and 22 Dundas Street. These dwellings were closely followed by a row of brick houses with cess pits in backyards along the north-west side of the trench, the south-east side of Dundas Place. Later 19th century brick structures in the eastern part of the trench appear to have been sheds, stables and a probable ‘two up, two down’ dwelling in Waudby’s Yard. Towards the end of the 19th century, the cess pits in Dundas Street and Dundas Place were replaced with toilets, probably of the tipper flush style. There were two developments at the end of the 19th century. The probable dwelling in the north corner of Waudby’s Yard was extended to the south-west, forming a substantial brick house known as 25 Palmer Lane. At about the same time a network of ceramic drainpipes and lead water pipes in the Dundas Street and 25 Palmer Lane properties points to the provision of water flushed toilets and piped water. The site was cleared in the 1930s and 1940s, and was then the location of the Northern Electric Distribution Ltd depot.