Title: |
Historic Building Recording and Watching Brief on the repair (Phase II) of the Flamsteed Turret Steps in the White Tower, HM Tower of London, London Borough of Tower Hamlets |
Series: |
Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd (London) unpublished report series
|
Downloads: |
preconst1-318573_1.pdf (85 MB)
:
|
Download
|
|
Licence Type: |
ADS Terms of Use and Access
|
DOI |
|
Publication Type: |
Report (in Series)
|
Abstract: |
Pre-Construct Archaeology was commissioned by Historic Royal Palaces to undertake building recording during the replacement of the protective timber staircase in the Flamsteed Turret at the White Tower, Tower of London. The timber covers and the underlying stone stair vice built from 1075/79 to 1100 were recorded. Petrological analysis of the steps identified the same 1080 to 1090/93 building break as that seen elsewhere in the fabric of the White Tower around 23m aOD. This hiatus was identified by a change in mortar in the steps and surrounding turret wall (also marked by ashlar blocks to stone rubble construction). Although malmstone was the principal stone-type associated with the medieval steps, it was not used above the building break. Caen stone, Reigate stone and Quarr stone with crisp axe carving were used in the steps approaching the building break. Above the building break, Reigate stone was the most commonly used with Quarr stone and some Bembridge Limestone. The Basement Level steps are late post-medieval in date. The watching brief established that older timber covers still exist over Step 90 to 105 at Gallery Level. The oak covers below Step 90 were late 20th century in appearance with steel nosings housing grit treads. Faint graffiti on one of the timber treads of '1971' may suggest the date that they replaced the earlier scheme. Graffiti on one step showed that it was lifted on 04/04/1991. Datable finds under the covers included a 1960 shilling, 1995 and 2001 tickets and a 2007 leaflet. |
Author: |
A L Hawkins
Kevin M J Hayward
|
Publisher: |
Pre-Construct Archaeology Limited
|
Other Person/Org: |
Historic England (OASIS Reviewer)
Please note: this record has been validated by-proxy by Historic England.
|
Year of Publication: |
2018
|
Locations: |
District: |
Tower Hamlets |
Site: |
The Flamsteed Tower, The White Tower |
County: |
Greater London |
Parish: |
TOWER HAMLETS |
Country: |
England |
Grid Reference: 533631, 180564 (Easting, Northing)
|
|
Subjects / Periods: |
MEDIEVAL
(Historic England Periods)
|
|
|
BUILDING SURVEY
(Event)
|
|
FORTRESS
(Monument Type England)
|
|
TOWER
(Monument Type England)
|
|
STAIRCASE
(Find)
|
|
Identifiers: |
OASIS Id: |
preconst1-318573 |
OBIB: |
PCA Report Number: R13279 |
|
Note: |
A4 spiral bound with blue cover report
|
Source: |
|
Relations: |
|
Created Date: |
22 Mar 2019 |