York Historic Environment Record

York Archaeology (YA) conducted a programme of archaeological monitoring and recording of all intrusive ground works in the basement area of, and alleyway adjacent to, the former Post Office, 22 Lendal, York. This report presents an overview of the primary results and the preliminary conclusions drawn from this investigation and incorporates details of other historical archaeological investigations in the vicinity. Four trenches required archaeological excavation and a total of 15 piles/geotechnical interventions were monitored during the planned drainage and sub-station foundation groundworks. Results consisted of evidence for the re-use of medieval limestone masonry in the footings of the old Post Office and evidence for earlier post-medieval walls. Within one of the basements trenches Roman features such as floor or yard surfaces, stake and post holes and domestic dump deposits were found. A number of sherds of Roman pottery was recovered from these features. Natural geological deposits consisting of sands and clays were encountered at between 9.55m and 9.62m AOD. These results are summarised below and indicate the possible character and depths of archaeological deposits of Roman and later periods which may be encountered in this area. They will also contribute to a better understanding of the development of this part of York during the Roman period onwards when considered alongside other investigations in the vicinity.