York Historic Environment Record

Part two (following boreholes see EYO88), in February 1996, was the excavation of two trenches each measuring 3m square and no more than 1.5m deep. Two very small machine-dug test pits, although only 0.8m deep and excavated primarily for the site engineers, were also recorded by YAT. Following the removal of topsoil and other modern deposits by machine, hand excavation of the two evaluation trenches began. Trench 1, closest to Skeidergate, immediately produced walls and deposits of medieval and post-medieval date. The limited evidence from such a small trench makes interpretation difficult, but it is possible that this represents domestic occupation fronting onto Skeldergate. Below these was a 0.60m thick layer of clean dark grey loam. It produced pottery of llth-12th century date and appeared to be agricultural in origin. The bottom of this layer was reached at a depth of 1.5m, where excavation ceased. Visible in the base of the trench was an extensive layer of pale yellow mortar and limestone rubble, from which no dating evidence was recovered. In Trench 2, post-medieval activity appeared to be restricted to dumping to raise the ground level. Below this, at a depth of around 0.90m, was a mortared limestone wall running across the trench in the direction of Baile Hill. Beneath these structural remains was a ditch running parallel to the limestone wall; only the south-east edge of this feature was visible in the trench. Traces of very decayed wood suggested that it may have had a wooden lining. The ditch fill also produced pottery of 13th century date. Taken as a whole the archaeological evidence is very interesting. There is ‘evidence of medieval and later occupation along the Skeldergate frontage. There are indications of Roman remains, possibly structural in nature. In addition, the waterlogged organic deposits noted from some of the boreholes could be Roman in date. Such evidence could be very significant in understanding the nature of Roman activity in the area, and could even define the extent of the Roman colonia in this direction (INTERIM 1996). York Archaeological Trust and Yorkshire Museum accession code: 1996.435. RCHME Microfilm Index PRN: 6146.