ENN7428 - 30 York Road, 1988 (Watching brief)

{1} Watching brief maintained during the excavation of two hand-dug test pits (each 0.6m square) in the back yard of 30 York Road. In both cases a yellow loam layer was encountered at c 1.80m, above which were layers of topsoil, bands of ironstone, and layers of grey soil with charcoal (pottery from the 18th & 19th century retrieved from these). Interpreted as a large feature- either a defensive ditch or quarry pit- was identified. Medieval and post-medieval pottery recovered. The site was subsequently visited regularly when the foundations for the extension were excavated. Towards the existing building the trenches became deeper and the 0.5m of the yellowish loam was removed. Pottery recovered from the base layer was entirely medieval. Probably ditch of medieval defences. {4} The base of the builders trench was at 79.73m aOD, 3.94m below the level of York Road. Section includes layer details.