York Historic Environment Record

Excavation Trench: In response to a specffication drawn up for York City Council by their Principal Archaeologist, York Archaeological Trust excavated two irregular trenches on both sides of Tower 9, York City WaIls, (between Nunnery Lane and Lower Priory Street (NGR SE59915136). Work was necessitated by an engineering scheme developed by York City Engineers and English Heritage to arrest lateral movement and general dilapidation and this scheme dictated the depth and extent of the excavations. The work tcok place during May and June 1992 as a sub-contract to York City Council Direct Labour Organisation, who were themselves the main contractor to York City Council. Due to the early discovery of a series of important archaeological features beneath the upstanding masonry, the method of excavation was changed. An area c.0.6m wide around the full external face of the tower was excavated at one Iine to a point level with the base of the existing wall. This was infinitely more satisfactory from an archaeological point of view as it allowed a more comprehensive picture to be gained of the complex deposits. The work revea1ed that an earlier stone tower had been erected on top of an existing earth bank possibly in the course of the 13th century. This was then substantially remodelled by being either entirely rebuilt as circular, or perhaps more likely D-shaped. This may have taken place in the fourteenth century. Later works probably belong to the Victorian period and relate to the consolidation and display of this monument. Finally extensive modern squatter occupation shows something of the failings of the welfare state! RCHME microfilm PN: 3281