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The Heritage Network
11 Furmston Court
Icknield Way
Letchworth
SG6 1UJ
As the result of conditions on the planning permissions for the development at 93a Bancroft, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, the Heritage Network was commissioned by the owner to undertake a programme of archaeological investigation. Two stages of fieldwork were undertaken, consisting of an archaeological evaluation, carried out in 2008and subsequent mitigation.
The archaeological fieldwork on the site has revealed a group of pits of unknown function, but of possible medieval date, located in the south-eastern corner of the site. Although no dating evidence was obtained from any of the features during the Stage 2 mitigation, it appears that the southernmost pit exposed in the evaluation was cut through an earlier feature. No function could be clearly assigned to any of these features, which may relate to properties fronting Bancroft, or to the known pottery workshop immediately to the south. No further dating evidence was recovered during the Stage 2 excavation.
The alteration works to the existing building were also monitored. One room only was subject to alteration as part of the development works. This forms the upper floor to the early rear extension. Removal of the west elevation revealed a number of previously hidden features at the point where the extension joined the main structure, including a post, tie beam and secondary brace.