Newham Museum Archaeology Project Archives
Newham Museum Service, 2000. https://doi.org/10.5284/1000328. How to cite using this DOI
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Ilford, Essex
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Resource identifiers
- ADS Collection: 265
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1000328
- How to cite using this DOI
The Abbey North Side (BA-71)
[File last modified 17th March 1997]
Site Location TQ 4402 8392
The site was bounded in the west by the Abbey Road, in the north by London Road, in the east by North Street and the Church of England Primary School, and in the south by the Abbey remains. It is a public open space and , as a result of the archaeological investigations, became part of the Scheduled Ancient Monument 107.
Reason for the Excavation
During landscaping by the London Borough of Barking in October, 1971, some 6 ins of turf and topsoil were removed. It was reported to the Passmore Edwards Museum by Mr. E. Slater ('Bicycle Ted') that traces of chalk walls and occupation debris were exposed north of the claustral buildings of the abbey immediately beyond the frater. After a site visit by the Inspector, Peter Drewitt, it was agreed that a two week excavation to establish the nature and extent of the remains should be undertaken by the museum.
The Excavation
A series of machine trenches were cut adjacent to the remains exposed by Alfred Clapham's 1910 excavations. A trench was also cut parallel to Abbey Road and further trenches were opened along North Street. Further trenches were hand excavated. A total of twenty-two were opened.
All trenches showed signs of destruction and systematic removal of all ashlar to foundation levels consistent with the documented robbing of AD 1541, when much of the material was removed to the royal palace at Dartford. The Dissolution ground surface was clearly visible and showed evidence of fires during the demolition.
At least two phases of building activity were indicated including a wall line sealed by Saxo-Norman pits. The main medieval structural work was interpreted as a courtyard area containing a possible dovecote. At some stage the eastern wall required buttressing along its western side. The land here falls away gradually toward barking Creek in the west. There was a small, apparently random, group of medieval burials, some 3 metres north of the north-east corner of the courtyard , one containing a copper alloy spoon with a suspension ring.
At the lowest level excavated, some daub-filled gullies were associated with an Ipswich ware jar. The construction trench for the eastern wall of the courtyard cut thorough a feature containing a number of Saxon loom weights.
Medieval walls and surfaces were traced parallel to Abbey Road and along London Road, as were indications of post-medieval boundary walls. These should be examined in relation to the adjacent 1988 Abbey Road excavation.
The Finds
These were examined by Mark Redknap when writing his LA articles but no actual report was written. There are bulk finds record cards and an index of the finds drawings.
