Northern Archaeology Today (1)

Short note which outlines findings from the excavation of a lift shaft within York Minster, by York Archaeological Trust. This identified the foundations of the standing 13th century transept, one of which had been packed with disturbed human bones. Below this level, construction deposits for the earlier Norman minster of AD 1080 were uncovered, showing the development of the cathedral from the Romanesque to the Gothic styles. Possible demolition deposits associated with the final taking down of the Roman fortress headquarters were also identified, along with two enigmatic post-holes, possibly of the 4th century or later, cut into further Roman demolition material. LD

Lady Row (64--72 Goodramgate) is the oldest known standing timber-framed building in York, built speculatively in the early 14th century as a row of small cottages for rent. Documentary evidence has previously been interpreted as indicating that the building was constructed in 1316, and this year has now been confirmed by dendrochronology (tree-ring dating). The technique is outlined in this article, with some discussion of the additional information that can be inferred from examining timbers. LD

Over five hundred sandstone caves made by people are known beneath the modern city of Nottingham. The caves are documented as far back as the 9th century AD, and many individual sites can be dated to the later medieval period. Trent & Peak Archaeology has been conducting a laser survey of the caves, and some of the sites that have been recorded are discussed briefly here. These include a medieval malting site beneath the Victorian Birkin's lace warehouse; a tannery beneath the Broadmarsh shopping centre; and caves beneath Nottingham Castle. LD

Ongoing excavations by York Archaeological Trust at the former Haymarket Hostel and car park site in York are investigating the site of All Saints' Church, Peasholme Green. Thought to have been founded in the 11th or 12th century, this was demolished in the late 16th century; its site was rediscovered and partially excavated in the 1980s, but the present project is able to investigate a much larger area than previously. Discoveries in 2012 have included a large Roman defensive ditch, post-Roman terracing deposits, and two very large medieval stone buildings on the east side of the churchyard. The previously unexcavated south and east sides of All Saints and its surrounding graveyard are also being investigated, allowing the full extent of the church to be defined. Over the coming months the focus of the work will turn to the removal of the burials within the excavation area. LD