| Abstract: |
Archaeological monitoring undertaken during excavation of six preliminary trenches to locate existing water and gas services, and the re-excavation of a 19th century trench. The excavations were undertaken using a 360º mechanical excavator fitted with rubber tyres. Though the nature of the excavation through rubble and cemented surfaces dictated the use of a toothed bucket, works were at all times supervised by an archaeologist. The depth to which the main trench was excavated necessitated the introduction of metal trench shoring, thus obscuring some deposits below a depth of some 1.2m. All archaeological horizons and structures encountered were examined, and where appropriate photographed, prior to being recorded in three trench sections. Sections 1 and 3 face north-east, whilst section 2 faces south-east. The site code for the watching brief and excavation was HPY07. On completion of the excavation, an assessment of the site records and finds was undertaken in accordance with national guidelines. This included collation of all site records and the compilation of a context catalogue in a computerised database and catalogues of slide and print photographs. Due to heavy truncation by modern services and by the 19th-century sewer excavations the deposits recorded within the trench were in part fragmentary, and seen in section only. The insubstantial nature of the carriageway would seem to be inconsistent with a Roman road surface which, as part of the porta principalis dextra, would be a highly trafficked entrance into the fortress. Excavations adjacent to the Roman gateway at Micklegate, the major southern entrance to the Colonia at Eboracum, identified a solidly constructed road comprising a foundation layer of large cobbles overlain by up to 0.2m of metalling (NAA, 2007). The dark clay silt layers (16 and 17) lying upon the primary metalled road surface are similar to deposits, often containing preserved organic material, identified during various excavation across the city, including at Low Petergate, further along the Via Principalis to the south-east (Wenham, 1972, 69-70). Across the river in the Colonia, excavations at Micklegate Bar identified a humic layer composed of ‘stable manure’ and probable flood silts overlying the Roman road surfaces (NAA, 2007b, 13) and similar deposits, though containing more artefacts, were also identified during excavations on Tanner Row at a site near the General Accident buildings (Ottaway 1993, 85-6). These decomposing organic materials and faunal remains have been identified as partly originating from stables or similar buildings in areas of dense occupation and, where the ground level is below seasonal flood levels, from deposition during inundation throughout the later Roman and early medieval periods. Several fragments of medieval brick were recovered from within this deposit at Bootham Bar, together with fragments of Roman tegula. |
