York Historic Environment Record

One evaluation trench (5x5m) excavated to a depth of 1m by machine then stepped to form a 2x2m trench hand excavated to a depth of 3.20m (17.13m AOD). The natural geology was recorded at the base of the trench followed by a well preserved sequence of Roman occupation. The evaluation trench revealed a complex sequence of archaeological deposits, ranging from modern and post-medieval to Roman in date. A series of brick walls of 18th to 20th century date was observed to cut possible medieval garden soils to the rear of buildings fronting on to Micklegate. These soils post-dated a substantial stone wall of medieval date which in turn overlaid an earlier medieval robbed out structural feature. Below the medieval horizon, a series of pits and dumps dating to the Roman period was excavated which overlay a demolished Roman building with possible evidence for a hypocaust system. The building was found to immediately overlie an oven that was also dated to the Roman period. The sequence observed within the evaluation demonstrates the high potential of the site to contain well-preserved and substantial structures and deposits from the Roman period to the medieval period. The post-medieval and early modern horizon was found to be extensively damaged by modern services and intrusions.