York Historic Environment Record

In autumn 2003 York Archaeological Trust undertook an archaeological excavation at the site of the former Starting Gate public house at 42–50, Tadcaster Road, York (NGR SE 5869 4966). The excavation was funded by the developers of the site, Hearthstead Homes. The excavations proved to be highly successful, yielding the remains of a large Roman building interpreted as a mansio, together with part of the adjacent major Roman road and associated ditches. In addition, various other features, mainly of Roman date, were excavated including ditches, burials, pits and an extensive cobble surface. One very unusual find from the site was a whale vertebra from a Roman context that had been used as a chopping block. In addition to these significant Roman remains, there were a few post-Roman features including two ditches of medieval date and an early 20th-century paddling pool. The site was severely truncated during the 20th century as a result of the construction of The Starting Gate public house.