York Historic Environment Record

An archaeological evaluation was carried out by On-Site Archaeology Ltd on the site of the former Prison Exercise Yard at York Castle, in May 2011. The evaluation comprised of three trenches, which were excavated by hand to a maximum depth of 0.50m below the modern ground surface. It is proposed to reinstate a low wall and railings at the front of the exercise yard, depicted on historic illustrations, together with resurfacing works. The evaluation was undertaken in an attempt to locate and characterise the foundations for the wall and provide information regarding the past surfacing of the yard. In two of the evaluation trenches the front wall of the yard was tentatively identified as a robber trench. This had been cut through earlier demolition deposits, and earlier foundations, which are believed to pre-date the construction of current standing building, constructed in the 18th century. The evaluation did not find any evidence for previous yard surfaces. In addition to the trenches excavated a preliminary analysis of the fabric of the building and its historical alterations was also carried out as part of this evaluation. This analysis is presented as Appendix 4 of this report.