York Historic Environment Record

The natural sub-soil which in all instances was a firm brown sandy clay. In Borehole 1, towards the upper end of the site, natural clay was located at c.3.6m BGL, in Borehole 2, in the centre of the site, at c.3m BGL, and in Borehole 3, at the lower end of the site, at c.5.2m BGL. This clearly indicates a dramatic drop in the level of the natural clay between Boreholes 2 and 3. Also common to all three boreholes were deposits of mortar and clearly redeposited clay overlying the natural clay. Above these distinctive deposits was up to 2.8m of generally dark grey loams. In Boreholes 1 and 2 brick rubble at depths of up to 2.6m BGL suggested that truncation by post-medieval cellars had taken place. No dating evidence was recovered from any of the boreholes. Records from the engineering boreholes were consistent with the deposits described above. An interpretation of the evidence from the boreholes is included in the period analysis section of this report. This is little amongst this collection which can offer much towards site interpretation or chronology. The few diagnostic finds appear to be Roman in date but most are in poor condition and cannot be closely dated. RCHME Microfilm Index Number 7760 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 341 30/1999 York Archaeological Trust Evans D/1997/18a-19 Fetter Lane, York: report on an archaeological evaluation/Report 1997/19.