York Historic Environment Record

The archaeological record revealed a hiatus of activity from the post-Roman period through to the 10th century after which an accumulation of dumping and levelling deposits were laid. These had the effect of significantly raising the ground level. The deposits were interspersed with fragmentary remains ofhearths, a fence line and pits. This indicated that in addition to land build-up and consolidation, occupation activity was taking place on the margins of the King's Pool during the Norman period and into the later medieval period. Subsequent medieval activity shifted from raising and consolidating the land on the margins, to rubbish disposal in pits and the construction of hearths or ovens. This land was further raised in height from the 16th century as soil developed across the site. Rows of narrow features cut into the lower part of this soil and were interpreted as lazy beds, indicating that the soils were initially associated with horticulture. By the 19th century the area was in residential use evidenced by a number of brick walls and sanitation systems.