York Historic Environment Record

This report summarises the findings of an archaeological strip, map and record excavation and watching brief carried out during ground reduction works associated with the development of the site at St Joseph's Covent York. The site yielded archaeology from multiple periods. 1. Evidence of prehistoric activity was identified through the presence of flints and a Bronze Age ditch. 2. A substantial east to west aligned Roman ditch traversed the whole site at the point where the York moraine yields to flatter terrain. 3. An Anglo Scandinavian Animal Group Deposition was present. 4. The majority of the archaeological features and artefacts are associated with the medieval period, in particular the 11th-13th centuries and there is some indication of domestic textile activity. A ridge and furrow system was in place at the south of the site, aligned north to south and a similarly aligned trackway was noted from the direction of the furrows leading towards Lawrence Street. 5. Evidence was present of sedentary activity through the 14th-16th centuries and some features may be associated with further textile activity. 6. Post excavation metal detecting identified lead finds that indicates the presence of a Civil War lead shot production site. 7. There is a distinct lack of sedentary evidence pertaining from the 17th-18th centuries. 8. Four architecturally sophisticated 19th-20th century brick wells, three of them domed, were in use during the occupation of the convent of St Joseph's by the Order of the Poor Clare's. 9. Architectural fragments potentially retrieved after the dismantling of local medieval churches (St Michael’s, St Edward's, St Nicholas' and St Lawrence’s) were used by the Order of the Poor Clare's to create decorative garden borders.