York Historic Environment Record

A watching brief on ground works associated with the isolation of an electric cable was undertaken by York Archaeological Trust on behalf of the University of York on 16th July 2020 at Kings Manor. Excavation of the pit revealed a sequence of modern deposits and a modern or, at the earliest post-medieval wall or wall footing. At the top of the sequence was a 0.2m thick deposit of turf and topsoil that covered overburden containing 19th century artefacts. The overburden sealed a deposit of rubble also containing 19th century artefacts this material covered and extended either side of a partially demolished brick wall. The wall respects the alignments of standing wall in the adjacent parts of the King’s Manor, however it is not clear what the wall might have been part of. The presence of mortar covering the top remaining course indicates that whatever structure it formed part of was demolished down to its current height, and despite the close proximity of the cable trench, the continuation of rubble over the top of it suggests that clearance occurred in the 19th century, or soon after.