York Archaeology Online Collections

Items

• P0517/P0518 Former Davygate Centre
  A watching brief monitored the excavation of trenches for ground beams to a depth of c. 0.45m below ground surface. No deposits of archaeological interest were encountered during this work. In two trenches, 3m x 3m, excavated to a depth of c. 1.75m below ground surface, there was plentiful evidence of well preserved archaeological features and deposits. Parts of two of the interval towers, SW 1 and SW2, on the south-west side of the Roman Legionary fortress, were uncovered and examined together with a c.10m stretch of the fortress curtain wall. Undefined deposits at the base of the excavation may have dated from the Anglo-Scandinavian period. There was abundant evidence from all parts of the site for occupation and activity in the medieval period in the form of pits, postholes, deposits and clay floors. Although no stone structures were positively identified the stonework under modern footings may belong to a building of this period. Modern activity on the site consisting mainly of concrete foundations and a thick levelling deposit of brick and concrete rubble which covered the entire site. A foundation of very well mortared sandstone blocks may have been a part of the 19th century Methodist chapel which is known to have fronted onto New Street.
• A0267 Museum Street
  Limited observations were made during disturbance of interval tower SW5 in a service trench.
• A0012 Museum Street/Lendal (Interval Tower SW5)
  Observation took place when the remains of the Interval Tower SW5 were covered over at the beginning of a redevelopment in order to protect them.
• P0834 Site of St Leonard's Hospital, Museum Street
• A0012 Museum Street/Lendal (Interval Tower SW5)
  A sample area of the late Roman intervallum road, which had a stone-lined drain along its inner edge, was investigated. Part of a contemporary barrack block was also encountered. On the site of the interval tower rampart material was found pre-dating the tower, and a part of the fortress wall. Evidence was found for a timber interval tower, which was later replaced by one built of stone. A part of the legionary fortress curtain wall contemporary with the tower was found. Roman occupation of the area continued through to the 4th century. A small pit may have dated to the Anglian period. The footings for the corner of a stone building possibly dating to the 14th-15th century were located. Pits and wells dating through the 12th-15th century indicate continuous medieval occupation in the area. Extensive cellars and foundations of the 19th century York Festival Concert Rooms was the latest phase of construction on the site.