York Historic Environment Record

EXCAVATION From excavations at 31-37 Gillygate 1972 Excavations in the gardens behind properties on the west side of Gillygate were undertaken to explore the history of the Gillygate suburb. Though no features can with certainty be assigned to the Roman period, occupation is in evidence from the large quantity of Roman pottery found. A post-hole alignment with a drip gully alongside it represents a timber building for which no dating evidence was recovered, but this has been interpreted as being of Roman date. A sherd of pottery dated to the Anglian period and an animal series sceat with a date range of c.705-15 may suggest occupation during this period. By the 12th century a featureless accumulation of soil had taken place. Two pits dating to the medieval period were identified. Later pits and wells dating to the 16th-17th century and a property boundary were also found in the area. Two possibly timber-framed structures dating to the 18th century were demolished in the 19th century when the area was converted into an ornamental garden with a roller-skating rink prior to the construction of terraced houses on the street front in 1865. NMR sources: Britannia : a journal of Romano-British and kindred studies inc. consolidated index for volumes 1-25 (1970-1994) Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies IV/1973/281 The Antiquaries journal : journal of the Society of Antiquaries of London Continuation of: Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries, London LIV/1975/204 York Archaeological Trust Fascicule 6.1/1986/49-53 Yorkshire Philosophical Society : annual report /1972/21,23 Archaeological excavations Department of the Environment /1973/109 For 1972 RCHME Microfilm Index PRN: 6093.