York Historic Environment Record

An Archaeological Excavation was undertaken by MAP Archaeological Consultancy Ltd at St. Oswald's School, York, from January to March 2005. The excavation was undertaken in advance of re-development of the school and the erection of new school buildings. Five broad phases of archaeological activity were identified by the Evaluation:- Phase 1 (Prehistoric) activity was characterised by a small residual assemblage of flint artefacts. No associated features were identified. Phase 2 (Romano -British) activity took the form of a series of field boundaries, ditches associated features and finds. Excavation showed that the ditch evolved in complexity over time, and the pottery assemblage suggested that the system was in use from the mid 2nd century onwards. A large number of Romano-British coins, coin fragments and coin-moulds were recovered from one of the field ditches. This finds are thought to relate to coin-forging and are of national signiJicance. Phase 3 (Medieval) activity was characterised by a complex of plough-scars and furrows that ran from east to west. These features indicate that the site formed part of the medieval open-field system of the village of Fulford. Phase 4 (Post-medieval) activity consisted of a number of pits and other features. The Postmedieval finds assemblage was unusual in that it contained a number of pistol and musket balls. These may relate to Civil War activity in the vicinity of the site. Phase 5 activity consisted of a number of modern post-holes and other features that were of minimal archaeological significance.