York Historic Environment Record

Archaeological Evaluation & Building Survey In November - December 2001 York Archaeological Trust conducted an archaeological evaluation and building survey on the site of a proposed new domestic development at 13 - 15 St Martin 's Lane, York. Two trenches each measuring 3m by 3m were excavated to a maximum depth of c.l.75m and recorded to assess the potential survival of deposits, features and structures associated within the boundaries of the site. The results of a borehole survey carried out in October 2001 are also incorporated into this repvrt. The surviving standing buildings were examined and areas of interest recorded by drawing and photography. Complex archaeological stratigraphy of the medieval period was located, recorded and excavated in Trench 1. This included features, deposits, and structures with associated finds hinting at metalworking of the period taking place in the immediate urea. Trench 2 was occupied mainly by structural remains probably no earlier than the 19th century although build up deposits or dumps belonging to the medieval period were located below these structures. The major elements of the building complex were recorded and identified as 18th and 19th century in date with repairs and alterations of the 20th century. The wall constructed predominantly of limestone on St Martin's Lane which forms part of the front wall of one of the buildings is interpreted as originally having been part of a boundary wall similar to that on the north side of Fetter Lane.