Series: LS Archaeology unpublished report series

An archaeological evaluation of trial trenches was implemented to the rear of 15 Borough Place, Church Street, Whitby. Three trenches of 1.00m by 2.00m were opened. The archaeological nature of the garden plot was uncertain and earlier deposits could have been present. The evaluation determined that Medieval deposits are not present. Residual material culture from the Medieval period and earlier was scarcely visible within the made ground layers. Less than 3% of the total pottery assemblage comprised sherds predating the 16th century; the majority were assigned to the 19th to 20th century. Other residual artefacts included five pieces of worked Whitby jet. The 19th century examples are likely to have been contained with other waste incorporated into the made ground layers, whereas the Bronze Age examples would have been residually present either at the site or close by. The evaluation concluded that Trenches 2 and 3, both located in the lower terrace of the garden, have seen significant 20th century disturbance and landscaping. Trench 1 was located on the upper terrace and results confirmed that this area had seen less 20th century disturbance than the lower terrace. 19th century made ground was recorded in the upper terrace at a depth of 1.00m below ground level. Beneath this, at a depth of 1.45m bgl, was natural clay. This would suggest that the first phase of significant ground build up/terracing took place during the early 19th century, after the construction of 7-11 Borough Place The evaluation established that the garden plot contains 19th century made ground laid directly onto natural clay. The original level of this process was 1.45m below ground level. The site has very low potential to contain pre-19th century undesignated archaeological deposits or discrete features.

Planning (21/00132/FUL) was approved for the construction of a small rear yard extension at 18 Lower Ebor Street, York, SE 603510. The site is located within the York City Centre Area of Archaeological Importance. Due to the site's location within the York City Centre Area of Archaeological Importance and its proximity to three undesignated monuments (Clementhorpe Roman Villa, Clementhorpe Roman Cemetery and Clementhorpe Nunnery), the granted planning permission came with an attached watching brief archaeological condition. No discrete contexts were present during the ground reduction. The archaeological layers observed related to the original late 19th century construction of Lower Ebor Street and neighbouring 20th-21st century rear extension works.

An extension to an existing property is proposed at 27 St Aubyn's Place, York. A two-storey side and rear extension and single storey rear extension has been granted planning permission. An archaeological condition is attached to this site due to its location within an Area of Archaeological Importance. There is potential for the development to affect important archaeological deposits that must be recorded during the construction programme. Although no specific archaeological features related to possible early activity were encountered, a garden/build up deposit (context 2) contained material culture in the form of fragmented 20th century terracotta plant potsherds and a 1930's rouge make up vessel base. Out with the concrete/brick garage patio area a deposit depth of 0.7m was reached and this revealed approximately 0.45m of buildup garden soils sealing 0.25m of horticultural soil. Natural was not encountered. The evidence from this watching brief concurs with other archaeological evidence derived from the immediate vicinity. Other investigations have also indicated the presence of a deep deposit of horticultural soil.

The archaeological watching brief revealed no archaeological deposits. The gardens sited to the front of numbers 3 and 4 Driffield Terrace have been significantly remodelled during the late 20th century. The Mount School historically owned the properties and the garden levels were reduced to enable more light to enter the basement classrooms. The retaining party wall that divides property 3 Driffield Terrace from property 2 Driffield Terrace was constructed during this landscaping. The gardens of 2 Driffield Terrace are located at the original level as when constructed in c.1860. It could be surmised that any existing archaeological deposits were destroyed during the 20th century landscaping.

1.1. A program of archaeological observation, investigation and recording at 47 Low Street, Sherburn-in-Elmet, Selby, North Yorkshire was undertaken during the ground works associated with the demolition of former buildings and alteration of the parking area related with the use as a depot for Sisson's Haulage, to be replaced by a foodstore and related car parking. The site lies under a thick layer of hard standing deposits, for which most of the new development did not impact upon it. The monitoring of the foundation trenches related with the foodstore, confirmed that no archaeology activity was present within the site boundaries.

An archaeological watching brief at 64 Bootham, York, North Yorkshire, took place as part of a programme to evaluate the presence of any archaeological features that may be disturbed by any groundwork related with the building alterations. Archaeology was present at a depth of 1.3m and the excavation depth was to 2.3m. Investigations identified 13 features dating from between the 9th and 14th century as well as a 19th century circular brick well that is contemporary to the house. The results from the pottery assemblages suggest that these features are characteristic of medieval domestic activity however, one context/deposit could indicate that there may have been industrial activity within proximity to this site. Several fragments of Roman pottery were recovered from deposits; including some Samian ware, however these have been identified as residual rather than indicative of specific Romano British features.

LS Archaeology was commissioned in December 2017, by Mr Brack to undertake a watching brief at The Acomb Chiropractic Clinic, 60a York Road, York. A small redevelopment was occurring at the property consisting of the change of use of rear clinic rooms (use class D1) to commercial office (use class B1) with kitchen, WC and additional parking. An archaeological condition was attached to this development due to the site being located within an Area of Archaeological Importance; the potential to disturb deposits dating to the medieval and Roman periods was good to high. On this occasion, the minimal ground reduction, required to facilitate the creation of additional parking, did not impact upon any archaeological deposits. During the watching brief, no archaeological features were encountered.

An archaeological evaluation at Oliver House, Bishophill Junior, York North Yorkshire was undertaken in the form of a single trench, to inform a planning application for the construction of a new extension at the rear of the property. The trench was located at the centre of the enclosed back yard. No archaeological deposits were or features were recorded. Instead the presence of a cellar associated with one of the Grays Buildings was discovered backfilled with modern building materials.

A new housing development is proposed on the land to the north of Barff Farm, Thorpe Willoughby, North Yorkshire, consisting of approximately 9.8 hectares. This desk-based assessment aims to evaluate all the known archaeological, historic and land use information in order to assess the impact that the new development could have on any archaeological resources on this land in accordance with the government policy.

Archaeological evaluations were undertaken at the site of Church Cottage in Wheldrake during November 2020 prior to a programme of internal and external alterations and the construction of an extension. A minimal photographic record of the late 18th century east facing elevation of the cottage was undertaken to preserve an image of the cottage prior to its 21st century extension. Ground preparation for the extension involved the displacement of a single gravestone belonging to the Beilby Family. This stone is to be replaced and repositioned within the churchyard. Ground excavations revealed the presence of eleven burials and one possible cremation at 0.75m below ground level or >14.08m <14.20m AOD. The burials were not excavated and were preserved in situ. The disarticulated human bone was retained and assessed. The minimum number of individuals represented by the bone assemblage numbered six, most being adult, with a small amount indicating younger adults and children, including one perinate. Some illness was noted in the bones, such as degeneration in joints, whereas dental assessment was suggestive of poor oral hygiene or protein rich diets and childhood stress (Ruiz Ventura and Holst, 2021).