York Historic Environment Record

Geophysical Survey followed by two trenches excavated in advance of development on open ground to the north-east of Marygate encountered extensive deposits of the Roman period. A large linear feature was located, but remained unexcavated may have been succeeded by a structure subsequently destroyed by fire. Both belong to the 3rd century or earlier. In the mid 3rd century, a deposit containing a substantial amount of refuse was dumped to level the ground surface. This material may have derived from a nearby building, apparently of some substance, and activities associated with it, or may represent 'municipal' dumping of detritus from other areas of Eboracum. Subsequently the area was apparently divided by hedgerows and exploited for cultivation. In the 4th century inhumations, probably forming part of a small and possibly familial burial ground, were interred on the site. It is uncertain whether the absence of later deposits represents a real termination of activity, since there was clear evidence of truncation above the latest recognisable stratified deposits. Dumping and cultivation activities continued into the medieval period and the most recent use of the site was as an orchard. RCHME Microfilm Index PRN: 6086. EHGSDB Visit No 1181.