Blue Bridge Lane
&
Fishergate House
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The earliest archaeological features encountered at the site were five cremation burials, four of which have been dated by the pottery urns and accessory vessels, including glass unguentaria, to the late 1st to early 2nd century (Appendices B and C), and the fifth to between the early 2nd and early 3rd century. The early burials were encountered towards the southern boundary of Fishergate House in a small cluster (F267F, F319F to F321F), during a watching brief on the excavation of new service trenches allocated Intervention 4 (Figure 3). One burial was identified in the machined section, and was visible cut into a layer of homogenous dark greyish-brown clayey silt (C1501F), apparently representing the intact Roman soil horizon. Dateable material recovered from the layer included Eboracum Ware and Grey and White Ware pottery, as well as Stamford Ware, the latest sherds being a sherd of York Glazed Ware and York Gritty Ware, although the presence of medieval ceramic is unsurprising given the density of later activity and poor visibility within the homogenous brown soil. The fifth burial was encountered in Intervention 22 at Blue Bridge Lane, close to the Fishergate frontage (F394B). The grave had been disturbed by an Anglian cess pit (F427B) to its north, but survived as a partially intact smashed Grey Ware jar containing a matrix of silty-clay and calcined human bone.
Figure 3. Location of Roman cremations and possible Roman inhumation (Interactive SVG image)
A single inhumation has been provisionally allocated to the Roman period, located within Intervention 4 at Fishergate House. The burial has been allocated to this phase because it is positioned within a group of scattered burials at a distance from the main medieval cemetery area, and is cut by features of Period 5 date. It is acknowledged that the burial could belong to a phase between the late 2nd to 11th century, but there is some evidence, in the form of redeposited unburnt human remains in features of Roman, Anglian and medieval date, for the presence of Roman inhumations at the site. The grave has been selected for radiocarbon dating to confirm its date.
Cremation catalogue
Cremation 1(F267F) (Plate 4) (Figure 4)
This burial was first identified in the machine-excavated southwest section of the NE-SW service trench of Intervention 4 and was subsequently hand-excavated. The grave consisted of an urned cremation burial in an unusually large Grey Ware jar (C1500F, C1512F) placed in a sub-circular pit backfilled with a dark greyish-brown clayey-silt (C1499F, C1511F) cut into layer C1501F. Two glass unguent bottles, one fused and burnt, were found close by, in overlying C1501F, and may derive from a graveside ceremony associated with F267F.
Osteological analysis of the cremated remains found them to belong to a juvenile individual of approximately 3 to 5 years of age (Appendix D). The calcined remains of pig bones, which had been included with the body on the pyre, were identified with the primary cremation deposit (Appendix E).
Cremation 2(F319F) (Plate 5) (see Figure 4)
First identified during hand-cleaning of the southern extension of Intervention 4, c.3.5m to the south of Cremation 1. The grave consisted of a primary urned burial in a fragmentary Grey Rustic Ware jar (C1601F, C1617F, C1618F); an accessory Ebor 1 flagon had been placed to the west of the urn (C1602F). Both vessels sat in a shallow scoop cut into C1501F, which bottomed onto the surface of the natural subsoil. The grave had been backfilled with a dark greyish-brown sandy-silt (C1600F), although the urn displayed evidence of ancient disturbance and damage.
Osteological analysis of the cremated bone identified the remains of two individuals, a juvenile individual aged between 5 and 7 years and a young middle adult. Zooarchaeological analysis also identified burnt pig bones among the calcined remains.
Cremation 3(F320F) (Plate 6) (see Figure 4)
This burial was identified during hand-cleaning of the southern extension of Intervention 4, c.0.50m to the south of Cremation 2. The grave was well-defined and consisted of a shallow scoop containing a primary urned burial in a Grey Rustic Ware jar (C1604F, C1613F, C1614F) and an accompanying Ebor 1 flagon placed to its southeast (C1605F). To the south of and between the two ceramic vessels was a complete glass unguent bottle. The grave had been backfilled with a dark grey clayey-silt, C1603F.
Osteological analysis of the cremated remains found them to belong to a juvenile aged between 5 and 12 years and a young middle adult. Zooarchaeological analysis identified cremated bones from a medium-sized mammal.
Cremation 4(F321F) (Plate 7) (see Figure 4)
This burial was identified during hand-cleaning of the southern trench of Intervention 4, and was the southernmost burial to be encountered. It consisted of a shallow sub-oval pit containing an urned burial in an Ebor 1 jar (C1606F, C1615F, C1616F), which had been placed towards the eastern side of the grave in a primary deposit of a dark brown sandy-silt, C1608. During excavation of C1608F, several iron nails were recovered alongside multiple conjoining sherds from several vessels, including a local Grey Ware jar, a White Ware vessel and an unusual Grey Ware jar, all which may have been associated with a grave-side ceremony. Around the neck of the urn, several lengths of charred timber had been deliberately placed, forming a square 'collar' of charcoal (C1607F). The timber remains and iron nails are likely to derive from a coffin or bier, burnt along with the body on the pyre.
Osteological analysis of the remains contained within the urn (C1616F) determined that they derived from a juvenile aged between 4 and 6 years. Zooarchaeological analysis noted a quantity of calcined pig and medium mammal bones, as well as the calcined remains of bird bones.
Cremation 5(F394B) (Plate 8)
This burial was located within Intervention 22 and located close to the Fishergate frontage. It had been badly damaged by the cutting of a large Anglian cess pit immediately to its north, but the grave and urn were both partially preserved, albeit in a disturbed state. The grave consisted of a shallow scoop into which a single Grey Ware urn with acute burnished lattice decoration had been placed (C1790B). The urn is dateable to between c.AD120 and c.AD225. In addition, sherds of a white-slipped Ebor 1 flagon and a local rough cast beaker were recovered from inside the urn, although these are considered to represent residual material from the backfill (C1790B). Iron nails and charcoal were recovered, suggesting a coffin or bier had been placed on the pyre.
Osteological analysis found the cremated remains to belong to an adolescent aged between 16 and 20 years.
Inhumation catalogue
Inhumation 1F213F (Plate 9)
This feature consisted of an inhumation burial thought to be orientated west-east, extended and supine, but truncated to the west by Period 5 rubbish pit F214F. Only the skull, upper axial skeleton, upper arms and right hand were intact; the disturbed skeletal elements were recovered from pit F214F. Significantly, the right hand of the individual had been placed at the throat, deviating from the vast majority of burials at the site, in which the arms were almost invariably extended.
Osteological analysis determined that the remains belonged to a mature adult male, and cut marks were noted on the cervical vertebrae, indicating that the individual's neck had been cut several times. These are recorded as a deliberate act of violence and traumatic death. Although the head was in the correct anatomical position at burial, it may have been partially or completely severed from the body. The removal of the head, partial or complete, is a phenomenon encountered in Roman and early medieval inhumation rites. The reasons for this activity are not well understood, and may relate to punishment, although anthropological studies suggest it may relate to an attempt to release the soul after burial.
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| Plate 4. Cremation 1 | Plate 5. Cremation2 | Plate 6. Cremation 3 | Plate 7. Cremation 4 | Plate 8. Cremation 5 | Plate 9. Inhumation 1 |
Figure 4. Fishergate House cremation group (Interactive SVG image)
Roman road and field system
The cemetery appears to have been sited in relation to the route of a Roman road parallel with the line of modern Fishergate, and the nearest burials are located within c.10m of its postulated route. The road is attested by the presence of a linear feature situated c.10m away from the current line of Fishergate to its immediate west. It was encountered in three separate sections (F389B/F43B/F283F) (Figure 5, Plates 10, 11 and 12), and their projected alignments appear to belong to a continuous feature at least 60m in length, with a width of between 1.07m to 1.29m and a backfill consisting of a dark grey/brown mottled silty clay. The features are considered to represent the western road flanking ditch.
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| Plate 10. F389B post-excavation | Plate 11. F43B post-excavation | Plate 12. F283F post-excavation |
Figure 5. Location of Period 2 non-burial features(Interactive SVG image)
As well as this negative feature, a cobbled surface was located within an evaluation trench undertaken by YAT (Trench C). When positioned in relation to ditch F283F, the surface lies immediately inside the line of the ditch and it appears that it may represent the original road metalling. The archaeology in this area of the site was far better preserved than elsewhere; the cremation burials were intact in their original cemetery soil and the possible road surface was also preserved. When encountered at Blue Bridge Lane, the ditches were more truncated and no evidence for the road surface was present. The area immediately to the east of the flanking ditch, although it had suffered truncation, did not contain any features, and this may also suggest the area belonged to the route of a thoroughfare, rather than consisting of open ground for other activities.
A number of associated boundary ditches were also encountered throughout both sites, largely in a much more truncated state. F203B/F128B appeared to be sections of the same NEE/SWW narrow gully visible for c.28m within intervention 15. The gully form was characterised by a shallow profile with sides sloping gently onto a concave base. F203B/F128B was backfilled with dark brown silty clays and was dated by pottery to the Roman period (Figure 6, Plates 13 and 14). In addition, two undated features, F144B and F233B, appeared to be a continuation of F203B and have subsequently been allocated to this period. Parallel and aligned to this gully was a second gully located c.4.0m to the south. The feature, F110B/F519B, had a shallow, concave profile approximately 0.4m wide and had been backfilled with gravel-rich yellowish-brown sandy clays. It contained pottery of Roman date, although a sherd of Northern Maxey Ware of the 8th century was also recovered and presumed to be intrusive from Anglian features cutting the gully (Plate 15). These features appear to define a narrow corridor of land inside which no activity of Roman date was identified; this may indicate the presence of a trackway heading southwest towards the Ouse. The site is known to be a good beaching point, and these ditches suggest riverside access during the Roman period. In the vicinity of this possible trackway, a length of undated linear feature was encountered, F412B. It appeared as a shallow, concave gully, 0.85m wide and visible for c.3.2m. The gully had been backfilled with a grey sandy clay with occasional mixed gravel. The features both cut subsoil directly and were cut by several later features from Period 3 onwards. The gullies have been assigned to Period 2, since they are clearly early and where excavated shared characteristics with other securely dated Period 2 features. Projections of these linear features indicates further subdivision of the land into relatively small rectilinear enclosures.
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| Plate 13. F203B post-excavation | Plate 14. F128B post-excavation | Plate 15. F110B post-excavation |
Figure 6. Period 2 non-burial features, section portfolio (Interactive SVG image)
Four further gullies identified in Interventions 19, 22 and 25 at Blue Bridge Lane are dated by pottery to the same period and would appear to represent subdivision of the land adjacent to the road (F438B, F474B, F529B and F537B). F438B appeared as a truncated north-south orientated gully, 0.5m wide, which petered out after 3.5m within the area of Intervention 22 (Plate 16). F438B was backfilled with a dark yellowish brown silty sand rich in gravels and pebbles (see Figure 6). The post-excavation hachure plan of the feature shows two sub-rectangular depressions in the ditch-base and suggests the ditch may have held a series of posts within it along its length. To its southwest, within Intervention 19, another truncated gully of possible Roman date was identified, F474B (Plate 17). This gully measured 1.71m in length with a width of 0.35m and was backfilled with a dark greyish-brown sandy silt. To its north in Intervention 25 a length of east-west narrow gully F537B was defined and excavated as well as a length of north-south gully, F529B. F537B appeared as a linear feature with a V-shaped profile up to 0.3m deep and 0.5m wide, backfilled with multiple silty sand and silty clay deposits. Gully F529B was heavily disturbed and only a limited section remained for excavation. A small segment measuring 0.8m x 0.42 revealed an irregular profile with a depth of 0.2m and a dark grey silty sand backfill. Although these features were not obviously part of the same system, due to the interruptions between trenches and their truncated state, the pottery recovered from their backfills suggests they were contemporary and their projected alignments form a continuous feature. If such projections are correct, Cremation 5 would appear to have been placed within a small rectilinear enclosure.
At Fishergate House, evidence for the subdivision of land was also encountered in the form of narrow linear features within Intervention 4. F297F, an east-west ditch, can be projected to join flanking ditch F283F (see Figure 5, Plate 18). A 1.3m segment of F297F was excavated and revealed a U-shaped profile, 0.7m wide x 0.23m deep, which had been backfilled with a dark yellowish-brown sandy silt. In contrast to F297F, F283F was a steep sided V-shaped linear feature, 1.3m wide x 0.9m deep with a dark brown sandy silt backfill. In addition, a small length of north-south gully encountered in Intervention 2, F199F, can be projected to form a possibly continuous boundary with F412B to the north and F297F to the south (Plate 19). A small sample was available for excavation, where the feature proved to measure 1.0m x 0.4m x 0.3m, with a sub-rectangular profile and a flat base. The backfill was identified as a dark grey clay silt with mixed gravel and lumps of redeposited subsoil. Cremations 1 to 4 and possibly Inhumation 1 appear to have been situated in relation to these boundaries. If the area to the south of the enclosure suggested by F297F was never cultivated, this would explain the good levels of preservation for the Roman horizon in this area of the site, and also suggests the presence of a small rectilinear enclosure dedicated to burial.
Evidence for land cultivation comes from the small rectilinear field enclosures to either side of the trackway, but was also present in the form of remnant ploughsoil allocated C2040B, C2211B, C2133B, C1341F and C1501F, all of which contained Roman pottery (some exclusively so) in a condition consistent with having arrived at the site through manuring and having been abraded by plough action and exposure. Apart from the intact soils at Fishergate House (C1501F), the buried soil layers were encountered downslope from Fishergate, predominantly in the western area of Intervention 15 and also within Interventions 9 to 11, 16 and 24.
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| Plate 16. F438B post-excavation | Plate 17. F474B post-excavation | Plate 18. F297 post-excavation | Plate 19. F199F south facing section |
Roman occupation
Alongside the road, cemetery and field system, some evidence for contemporary occupation has been recovered. During the evaluation programme, Intervention 9 (C1114B), Intervention 10 (C1090B) and 11 (C1099B) at Blue Bridge Lane consisted of a cobbled surface, which was dated by pottery to the 2nd century (Plates 20 and 21). Widespread areas of the site retained small spreads of what were presumed to be the original Roman ground surface and include C1773B, C2040B (Intervention 15), C2139B and C2133B (Intervention 16), C1306B (Intervention 21), C2184B, C2205B and C2211B (Intervention 24), C1136B (Intervention 12), C1341F (Intervention 2) and C1501F (Intervention 4). As well as the surviving surface and buried soils, the range of recovered ceramic building material of Roman date suggests Romanised building at or near the site (Appendix F). The range of forms include roof tile (tegulae and imbrices) and fragments of chimney pot, box flue tile, hypocaust tile and opus signinium,which indicate a building of some sophistication. The Roman brick recovered included a legionary stamp and tally marks, both of which have been associated with military production.
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| Plate 20. Cobbled surface C1090B | Plate 21. Cobbled surface C1099B |
The land enclosures were almost certainly contemporary with the use of the site for burial, since the burials appear to respect areas and boundaries. Material recovered from all of these ditches dates from the late 1st to 3rd century and may include vessels used in the cemetery, either as urns, or in grave-side ceremonies. Fragments of unburnt human bone were recovered from the excavated section of F43B, suggesting that the ditch was open during the use of the site for inhumation burial, and a local Grey Ware lid from ditch F297B at Fishergate House is thought to derive from a cremation burial rather than manuring. Several sherds of a head pot were recovered from ditch F438B, and sherds from smashed pots, including a burnished Grey Ware bowl and a red-slipped Ebor Ware jug, were recovered from ditch F389B. These vessels are likely to have been in use in the cemetery and redeposited in the ditches when backfilled some time in the mid-3rd century. Overall, apart from scant residual later 3rd and 4th century ceramic, the latest pottery dates to the mid-3rd century and it appears that the use of land declined at this time.
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