York Historic Environment Record

An archaeological evaluation consisting of the excavation of a single trench 3m square by 1.5m deep. Archaeological deposits survived to within 300mm of the interior of 50-52 Monkgate. The excavation revealed 10 phases of activity dating from the Roman period to the present day. Phases I and II were dated to the Roman period and consisted of a ditch and its subsequent backfilling. The full dimensions of the ditch were not determined but it was at least 3m wide and 500mm deep. Phase III represented a period of little activity on the site represented by the accumulation of a 200mm thick layer of clay. Phases IV-VIII represented medieval activity on the site. The most notable feature was a waterlogged pit dating to the 13th century. Phases IX and X represented post-medieval and modern activity on the site. One of the main objectives of this evaluation was to recover evidence of Thomas Agar’s Almshouses which are known to have occupied this site from 1632. They were burned down in 1644 during the Seige of York. They were rebuilt and survived until the 1880’s. No trace of these almshouses was found.