York Historic Environment Record

The study area is clearly not level and with standing structures reducing clear lines of site it is very difficult to visualise relative depths. Across virtually the whole site there has been significant truncation of archaeological deposits during the creation of the railways, bridge and associated infrastructure. Further truncation of archaeological deposits has occurred during the insertion of a complete range of services from the late 19th century onwards. Rampart deposits associated with the city wall appear to survive beneath the ramped section at the south of the Queen Street Bridge. Adjacent to Queen Street, where the ditch to the southwest of the medieval rampart has been in-filled, there is potentially in excess of 1.5m of modern demolition and infill sealing the earlier infilling deposits. Adjacent to Ivy Cottage rampart, or similar banded deposits, survive within 1m of the current ground level. These may be as early as Roman. Deeper, possibly natural ponds or dug features, may survive at the southwest of the car park area investigated and also in front of the railway sheds. Similar deeper features have been noted to the west and southwest of the study area. At the entrance to the long stay car park natural subsoil is relatively close to the surface and there is potential for undisturbed archaeological deposits to survive in this area.