York Historic Environment Record

Summarises work by Onsite Archaeology and the University Department Roman: Field 8 • 2nd century & on: The large number of Romano-British ditches found in Field 8 almost all follow similar alignments, being either north-northwest to south-southeast, or east northeast to west-southwest. These alignments broadly correspond to those of the earlier, Iron Age, square enclosure so it is tempting to suggest that a degree of landscape continuity is present. Alignment though may reflect general topographic configuration • Many date to 3rd-4th centuries: Water management features: vary from relatively simple pits, to complex structures with linings of wattle or cobbles and posts. • Many date to 3rd-4th centuries: Evidence for limited industrial activities. This included processing features, interpreted as crop driers, and probable working areas, apparently closely linked to one or more of the wells. • Possible late 3rd to early 4th century trackway Field 9 • Concentrated around the earlier area of springs. The series of recut ditches date from as early as the late 1st century AD. These ditches appear to be linked into a wider system of land division, extending beyond the limits of the northern spine road excavation areas. However, they appear to function as more than simply field boundaries in this area of the site as they incorporate the still flowing springs. • One of the ditches within the southwestern part of Trench 2 had been expanded to form what was almost a small pond. • It was within this area that a complex timber structure had been built in the second half of the 1st century AD. This may have functioned as some form of platform, either to access for the withdrawal of water for use elsewhere, or to undertake some activity within the water itself. • Large pit excavated to the northeast of the springs may also be related to a similar activity Field 8: • Early Roman: Creation of two undulating areas via natural deposits • In the third and fourth century AD there was substantial reorganisation of Field 8, with a preference for the more northern part of the site. A. This saw the creation of more substantial enclosures, b. The laying out of a metalled track way and c. Erection of two buildings, one of which was masonry and had a hypocaust system. D. Significant boundary ditches were installed at this time and, towards the east of the masonry building, access into the area controlled through a gateway/entrance. There was also monumentalisation of the western entrance into the complex by the insertion of a rectangular tower, later substantially rebuilt, which articulated with two inhumation burials immediately to its east. • In the very late Roman period, and potentially into the sub-Roman period, the landscape in the north of Field 8 was modified, a. With burials consolidating earlier features. B. New boundaries and terraces were established and we see the insertion of a kiln, a large rectangular timber-framed building and a four metre deep masonry-lined well. Field 9: Late Roman: • containing two large millstone grit blocks, one of which showed evidence for a socket for a vertical member (Group 64). The sheer size of the boulders here, one being well over 2m across, suggest substantial structural activity in the vicinity, though what the latter comprised and where it took place was not clear. To the northwest of these discarded stones, lay an amorphous, stony spread • Major ditch system created to enclose round house • 3 inhumations