York Historic Environment Record

The earliest deposit observed in the stratigraphic sequence was a soft, slightly orange, mid-brown silty sand at a depth of around 10.9m OD–11.0m OD. This material had the appearance of superficial geological deposition, although being below the formation level for the foundations it was not investigated. No dating evidence was recovered from this deposit. Above deposit 1004 at around 11.0m OD–11.10m OD there was a layer of small-to-medium broken CBM fragments, mostly tiles, and rounded small-to medium grey pebbles and cobbles and CBM fragments (not retained) within a matrix of soft grey-brown, slightly clayey sandy silt. A single large piece of magnesian limestone block was found. None of its faces were dressed so it was not retained. However, it is a building material typical of medieval York, and rough blocks such as this are commonly found in medieval building sill beam foundations. This layer formed a thin layer no more than about 50mm–100mm thick at a consistent depth of around 800mm below the concrete yard surface (a height of around 11m OD) along most of the foundation trench, although it appeared to tip down and under the deposit above towards the southern ends of both the east and west foundation trenches. Humber Ware pot sherds recovered from this rubble layer suggest it was deposited in the 14th century. The predominantly roof tile composition of this deposit would possibly indicate it was a demolition deposit, although the large amount of pebbles and cobbles within it suggest it was more likely laid to level or consolidate the ground or provide a rudimentary yard surface.