York Historic Environment Record

EXCAVATION AND Boreholes SE60255142 A campaign of archaeological evaluation was carried out over two weeks in January 1991. Excavation and monitoring of boreholes was restricted to the area of 32-3 Skeldergate, but the following report also employs evidence from previous evaluation work to assess the archaeological potential of 26-34 Skeldergate, York NG SE 60235144-60275140 [see EYO5793, 26-31 Skeldergate, YAT 1989.9]. The work was undertaken on behalf of Mr A. Clark and followed a specification issued by Mr J. Oxley of York City Council. Trenches 1-3 were positioned between the River Ouse and the street in order to assess and sample archaeological deposits likely to be threatened by proposed development on the site. Each trench measured approximately 3x3m and they were dug by machine to a depth where significant archaeology could be recognised. Excavation then continued by hand. Trench 1 was machine-dug to a depth of 7.1m AOD (Above Ordnance Datum) but no hand excavation took place in this trench. Trench 2 was positioned within the confines of a 1arger trench excavated in 1989. A machine was used to remove backfilled material from above plastic sheeting laid in the base of the 1989 trench and hand excavation then continued to a maximum depth of 6.96m AOD. The good preservation of archaeological deposits at this depth rendered deeper excavation unnecessary. Trench 3 was dug by machine to a depth of 8.0m AOD and hand excavation continued to a maximum depth of 7.06m AOD. Seven boreholes (4-10) were drilled to a depth of 9.00m below the modern ground surface. They were drilled with a casing of 150mm diameter by Sub Soils Surveys Ltd. Of Manchester, and an employee of York Archaeological Trust kept a record of the strata identified in the extracted soil cores. The boreholes were positioned to establish the seguence of land reclamation and use of the Ouse waterfront, but restricted space made it impossible to locate any boreholes near the modern river frontage. RCHME microfilm PRN 2929. NMR sources: Virtual Catalogue Entry to support E.I. Migration 1991/Report on an Archaeological Evaluation at 26-34 Skeldergate, York. York Archaeological Trust annual report 27 /1990-91