Blue Bridge Lane
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Fishergate House
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Period 8 activity has been characterised by the presence of Ryedale Ware (which replaced the use of Humber Ware in York from the late 15th century), Cistercian Ware, and various stonewares, some of which were imported. A decline in activity has been identified after Period 7, when industrial activity reached a zenith on the site. During Phase A of Period 8, the industrial landscape of Period 7 was reclaimed and landscaped, and the precinct demarcated by internal boundary features, the geography of which was to persist well into Period 9. For example, a small stretch of Period 8A boundary features was found to coincide with a Period 9A wall, built using reused medieval masonry (Figure 58). This huge landscaping operation is followed in Period 8B by apparently well-organised craft-working activity, which occurred on a smaller scale than the preceding industrial phases and was confined primarily to two pit complexes (F77B and F78B). Some Period 8B industrial features cut boundary features belonging to Phase 8A, hence the creation of sub-phases in the period.
PHASE A
Landscaping
Period 8A is characterised by a large landscaping operation, possibly in response to the deterioration of the environment during Phase 7B, particularly since much of it was concentrated over the area of S4 and the quarry pits. This landscaping activity is manifested as a series of rapidly accumulating levelling layers. A group of these deposits and dumps was allocated feature number F352B, since they were thought to relate to a terracing operation; in fact, these contexts represent importation of soils on a huge scale, in order to level the area of F58B. Several Period 7B and 7C features were levelled with soils dated by material to Period 8, including, quarry pit F198B, gully F450B and pit F404B. Throughout the site the importation of soils must have contributed to the high levels of intrusion in earlier features, which had subsided and were 'topped up' during Period 8A.
F352B consisted of a series of complex and rapidly accumulating deposits
and dumps (Figure 59, Plate 87, right) (C1185B,
C1189B=C1708B, C1368B, C1369B, C1537B to C1539B, C1687B to C1695B, C1697B,
C1708B to C1713B, C1759B and C1886B). The earliest deposits within the sequence,
which are, in order of deposition, C1369B, C1713B, C1712B, C1711B, C1710B
and C1368B, represent the levelling of the deepest area of S4. which had
only been backfilled partially by the end of Period 7C. Thereafter, the sequence
of deposition consists of small superficial dumps and spreads of mixed material
consisting of, in probable sequence of deposition: C1709B, C1695B, C1189=C1708B,
C1694B, C1538B=C1693B. The sequence of dumping suggests a progressive south
to north order of deposition and this episode is overlain, notably towards
the south of F352B, by a second layer of dumps deposited from south to north,
and were, in order: C1185B, C1697B, C1692B, C1691B, C1690B, C1691B, C1690B,
C1689B, C1688B, C1687B and C1886B. In this particular area of Intervention
15, it seems that F352B was landscaped in order to prepare the area for boundary
feature F219B.
Material recovered from these numerous dumps was dominated by Humber Ware wasters, which are likely to have been present in the area, having been recycled since Period 7B, as well as over 16kg of CBM. CBM forms included brick, roof tile (much of which was burnt), and a large ceramic finial. Like the contents of the Period 7C quarry pit backfills, it seems probable that the deposits and dumps within F352B derive from the occupation and alteration of the Priory range; the roof finial, which represents a rare type of find in York, suggests that at least a proportion of the CBM derived from a relatively high status building or buildings.
Throughout the site, amorphous spreads of dark greyish-brown gravelly clayey silts, equivalent to the latest deposit of F352B, were defined and excavated (C1370B, C1385B, C1411B, C1901B, C1967B, C1161B, C1169B, C1179B, C1431B, C1891B, C1930B, C2018B). Period 7C quarry F198B was levelled by C1383B, which has been dated to the 15th century date and therefore is probably a Period 8A deposit, while Period 8B pit complex F77B cut into an extensive spread of brown soil C1891B, also thought to have been laid down during Period 8A landscaping. These contexts were not, however, distinguished easily from the Period 9A orchard soils which overlay large areas of the site, and in some cases contained only pottery of earlier periods.
Boundary features
F219B was defined as a north-south aligned linear feature, visible for a
length of c.10.0m, spanning almost the entire width of Intervention
15 and interrupted only by Period 9 wall footings (Figure 60, Plate
88, right).
The feature had suffered truncation by a number of features, including Period
8B pits, but where visible appeared to measure up to 1.40m wide. The backfill
system appeared to represent initial slow filling with detritus represented
by C1486B=C1429B=C1496B=C1497B (Figure 61). These were dark grey sandy silts,
containing concentrations of pebbles, cobbles and CBM, which had the appearance
of tumbling into the base of the ditch while open. This use horizon was overlain
by two episodes of backfilling, the earlier of which was represented by C1430B=
C1428B=C1486B, which consisted of brown and very dark grey sandy silts, but
did not completely backfill the feature. C1270B and C1427B represented equivalent
deposits which finally level F219B. Ceramic recovered from F219B indicates
a Period 8A date for excavation and backfilling, although the boundary persisted
into Period 9; this continuity suggests longevity for F219B that is not reflected
in the dating material recovered from it. Indeed, the arrangement of Phase
8B pits does appear to respect F219B as a feature, strengthening the possibility
that it was backfilled slowly and formed a boundary marker for a significant
time. A later possible post setting has been grouped with boundary feature
F219B and consists of F220B and F221B.
Small segments of boundary ditches, F14B and F157B, encountered within evaluation trench Intervention 2 and Intervention 20 can also be grouped here. F14B was cut into subsoil and sealed by Period 9A soils, and was only partially visible within the intervention. Where visible, the feature appeared to be aligned E-W, and measured up to 0.50m deep, with a variable base. Pottery recovered from the mottled greyish-brown silty sand backfill of F14B (C1024B) included residual Period 5 and 6 pottery, but also included a sherd of Humberware and brick fragments. This dateable material, alongside its position in the stratigraphic sequence, has resulted in its allocation to Period 8A. Likewise, undated gully F157B was identified in the section of Intervention 20 and appeared to represent a small segment of east-west gully backfilled twice with C1324B and C1323B. It has been allocated to this period of boundary marking, since it was sealed directly by orchard soil C1307B. Their layout reflects the trend for boundary features to respect the precinct wall but neither offer any obvious continuation with other boundary features found in the larger interventions.
Recorded as two intercutting pits during excavation, possible posthole F220B within associated slot F221B were assigned to Period 8B. F220B consisted of a circular feature measuring 0.88m in diameter, found to have gently sloping sides and a single backfill, C1482B. The backfill of the feature contained a quantity of large cobbles and pebbles, set in a dark grey sandy silt. The stone component could well represent displaced and disturbed post packing. F221B consisted of a sub-rectangular slot, orientated north-south, and mirroring the alignment of disused F219B. Upon excavation, the feature proved to be 1.40m in length x 0.80m wide interrupted by F220B at its southern limit. The slot had been backfilled once with C1483B, a very dark grey sandy silt with a stone component similar to that of F220B. Pottery recovered from F220B was no later than Period 7, although pottery recovered from F221B included a sherd of Raeren stoneware and Dutch Red Earthenware providing a date of the later 14th to 15th century onwards. Their shared width and depth, and proximity to one another, suggest that they may represent a small slot (F221B) with integral post hole (F220B) which was removed at a later date; the features could therefore be contemporary (see Figure 60). If correct, these features represent possible later post markers of the boundary, being Period 8B and explain the persistence of this division well into Period 9.
Elsewhere, several other boundary markers have been identified and allocated to Period 8A, or identified as persisting into Period 8A, including a shallow terrace (or possible ditch) F109B and associated posthole F270B, the continued use of Period 7A ditch F208B, and associated Period 8A postholes F204B to F207B, F335B, F348B and F375B (see Figure 60). Terrace F109B was defined as a linear, one-sided depression formed by a change in level, sloping gently from south to north for a distance of c.6.50m, close to the modern boundary wall of Blue Bridge Lane. The change in level had been backfilled with a number of deposits, and it seems possible that the feature represents a truncated ditch, which had suffered longitudinal truncation down its northern side where it had been cut by a later pit F186B; without confirmation of truncation, F109B will remain identified as a terrace. Upon excavation this feature proved to have been levelled or backfilled with several discrete dumps of material, represented by C1640B, C1641B, C1642B and C1643B. These deposits consisted of strong brown, brown and very dark greyish-brown sandy clays, deposited east to west in a sequence of dumping, reminiscent of that within F352B. Ceramic recovered from F109B included a sherd of Hambleton Ware, which provided a date of the mid-14th to mid-15th century. Following excavation of F109B, a shallow sub-oval posthole F270B was identified in the base of the feature and may have been associated with F109B. This feature was defined in plan, measuring 0.60m x 0.28m, and upon excavation was found to have a large post-pad at its base.
Period 7A ditch F208B appears to have persisted into Period 8A and may have been recut (suggested in some feature sections by the unnatural profile of C1770B), although this interpretation is tentative and not sufficiently secure to permit feature allocation. Like Period 7A, F208B appears to have been palisaded and evidence for posts along or respecting its length were present. Initial backfilling represented by C1770B=C1767B was allocated to Period 7A, but subsequent backfills (of the possible recut) contain Period 8 ceramic, including C1769B=C1765B, which contained a sherd of Langerwehe stoneware; accordingly C1769B=C1765B and deposits overlying them up to the latest backfills C1820B and C1291B have been allocated to Period 8A.
The secondary backfill sequence of F208B appears to be mixed, but rapid, being layered fairly uniformly as though backfilling was intermittently compacted, a phenomenon also suggested by lenses of trample between principal backfills (see Figure 49).
The westernmost length of F208B displays the most complex backfill system, and evidence also indicated the presence of a post (F375B); variation to either side of F375B, which might indicate that this backfilling took place with the post in position. These backfills consisted of C1819B, C1765B=C1769B, C1781B, C1780B=C1768B=C1764B and C1766B. Posthole F375B was not distinct during the excavation of F208B, and was first identified in section where it appeared to be a U-shaped, possibly rectangular, posthole with CBM packing, which suggested that a squared timber had been removed. Elsewhere, evidence for two posts close to F208B, was identified and these features (F348B (=F172B) and F205B) are considered part of the Period 8 remodelling. F348B lay close to the western limit of F208B, although the relationship between the features had not been preserved; F205B lay close to F208B at its approximate mid-point. Three further postholes have been identified close to F208B (F204B, F206B and F207B); none contained dating material, and they have been allocated to this sub-phase simply on the basis of their proximity to F208B.
Final backfilling of F208B consisted of C1820B and C1291B, suggesting that complete disuse of the feature took place during Period 9A, since a piece of early 17th century tobacco pipe was recovered from C1291, a rubble and cobble layer which overlay most of F208B and sealed the associated postholes. Nonetheless, the construction of Period 9 wall F64B suggests that by this time the precinct wall had become fossilised permanently in the post-medieval townscape.
PHASE B
The landscaping and precinct division of Period 8A was presumably undertaken to define specific areas of activity, and appears to have been succeeded by light industry, consisting of relatively casual metal-working, food processing and continued refuse disposal. Much of this activity can be assigned to two pit complexes, F77B and F78B, which provided the focus for craft activity and pit digging; elsewhere, more isolated features were defined and allocated to the period (Figure 62).
F77B pit complex
F77B was defined as a sub-oval feature measuring c.5.8m x 3.8m in plan, located to the west of Period 8A ditch F219B which is likely to still have been visible (Figure 63). Upon excavation, it proved to be a probable working hollow and a number of working horizons were identified within the sunken area, interleaved with periodic backfilling. Dateable material recovered from F77B included residual Period 2 to Period 7 pottery, but, crucially sherds of Raeren stoneware, Ryedale Ware and Tudor Glazed Ware were also present. Several objects indicative of craft-working were recovered from F77B and include a bow from a pair of shears, a copper alloy sheet offcut, a possible auger or awl and several iron nails.
The excavated form of F77B comprised a wide cut measuring c.5.8m
x 3.8m, with gently sloping sides to a depth of 0.50m, thereafter becoming
a steep-sided bowl measuring c.1.50m x 1.25m in plan, to a total
depth of 1.52m. The original excavation of pit F77B was followed rapidly
by the introduction of a redeposited subsoil C1744B which appears to line
the cut of the pit (Figure 64, Plate 89, right).
A distinct horizon of dark grey, charcoal-rich silty sand overlay C1744B
and was allocated C1743B. Environmental assessment identified a large quantity
of charred remains and high levels of fish bone within C1743B, some of which
was also burnt. It seems likely that this charcoal laden deposit derived
from fish smoking or preservation, since the remains were identified as herring,
a traditionally smoked fish. Following this episode of use, F77B was backfilled
with C1742B, an homogenous dark greyish-brown sandy silt, which levelled
the deeper area of the feature. This deposit provided a sunken, but level,
area for the activities which followed, represented by accumulating backfills,
working surfaces and three distinct hearths.
Levelling layer C1742B was overlain by a thick homogenous brown sandy clay layer, C1741B=C1756B, into which three hearths were cut; the layer has accordingly been identified as a working surface. The hearths which cut into C1742B were allocated F334B, F358B and F391B and consisted of two scoops filled with burnt deposits and a brick-lined hearth respectively. F334B first appeared as a sub-circular scoop filled with C1740B, a variable dusky red, orange and black deposit of burnt silty sand (Plate 90). Environmental assessment identified hammerscale within the deposit, suggestive of iron-working. F358B cut into F334B and comprised a scoop, filled with a primary deposit of burnt clayey silt C1808B. Environmental assessment of C1808B identified small amounts of charcoal and hammerscale. F391B was more substantial than both F334B and F358B and was identified as a series of reused upright bricks set in a burnt silty sand, which, although disturbed by later activity, appeared to have been sub-rectangular in plan (Plate 91). Environmental assessment identified charcoal and charred grain, hammerscale and burnt fish bone. F334B was backfilled and disused by C1739B=C1738B, C1723B, C1724B and C1730B, which were distinct from one another but probably represent a single episode, possibly to extinguish the fire. Both hearths were subsequently sealed by a consistent layer of very dark greyish-brown sandy silt C1722B=C1738B. This layer was unremarkable, and may represent another levelling horizon within F77B, but was the cut by a third hearth, F329B. This feature was defined as a possibly rectangular, heavily disturbed, feature filled with two burnt clay deposits, C1729B and C1730B (Plate 92). The basal layer, C1730B, consisted of a variable burnt silty clay, ranging in colour from dusky red, red, reddish black to black. Overlying C1730B, C1729B consisted of a cleaner red silty clay deposit containing charcoal flecks throughout. Environmental assessment identified daub, charcoal and hammerscale, again indicating iron-working. Pottery was recovered from only three of the hearths within F77B and belonged to Period 6, but all three were secured as Period 8B features by virtue of their setting within F77B.
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| Plate 90 | Plate 91 | Plate 92 |
F77B was finally levelled and disused by C1720B, an homogenous very dark grey silty sand containing mortar and charcoal flecks, which may have been imported to level the area. Features continued to cut into the site of F77B and suggests continuity of activity within this sub-phase. F360B cut into F77B and appeared as a sub-circular pit measuring 0.56m in diameter and only 0.20m deep. The feature represents one of the latest features within Period 8B and was truncated by Period 9 features, notably a horse burial, F74B. The pit had been backfilled once with C1810B, a mixed dark greyish-brown silty sand containing a high percentage of charcoal.
Close to pit complex F77B was a small feature identified as a severely truncated scoop F125/6B, cut by a later Period 8B posthole F257B and then by a Period 9 drain F120B. Since the feature had been bisected by Period 9 intrusion, two feature numbers were allocated (F125B and F126B), although they probably represent a single truncated pit. What remained of the feature represented a possibly sub-rectangular form with an undulating base. The backfill and fill system consisted of an initial deposit of a very dark grey mixed silty clay containing CBM, charcoal and pottery suggesting initial use as a rubbish pit (C1590B and C1579B). This was overlain by a distinct deposit consisting almost entirely of small herring bones (C1580B and C1577B). The bones did not appear to have been digested, but rather discarded, and may relate to the fish smoking which appears to have been undertaken within nearby F77B. This deposit, which is likely to have been noisome, was sealed by a final backfill of a mixed very dark greyish-brown silty clay containing CBM, pottery, charcoal and animal bone. Dateable material recovered from F125/6B included residual Period 6 to 7 pottery, but sherds of Dutch Red Earthenware suggest a date of late 14th century onwards and, given the possible association with F77B, the feature has been assigned to sub-phase B.
Following disuse of F125/6B, the feature was truncated by a small posthole, F257B, and directly sealed by Period 9A orchard soil. This small, isolated feature is hard to place within the sequence, and containing a sherd of Period 6 and Period 8 pottery. Nearby, a small undated posthole F263B, may also have been associated, since it too was sealed by Period 9A orchard soil and cut into Period 6 features. Together the postholes do not suggest any alignment of wider association.
F78B pit complex
This
pit complex is dominated by the presence of a large rubbish pit F78B, which
formed the focus for several intercutting features and similar pits nearby
(F269B, F242B and F253B). F78B was identified as a large sub-square feature
measuring c.2.00m x 2.00m in plan (see Figure 63 and 64,
Plate 93, right). The feature was quadrant
excavated with the northeastern and southwestern quadrants being removed
first, revealing a substantial, steep-sided feature. Unfortunately, the quadrant
sections became frost damaged overnight and collapsed before further recording
could take place. The quadrant sections were retired and what remained of
the backfill system was recorded. Backfilling of F78B was variable, comprising
thirteen discrete deposits (C1553B, C1554B, C1581B, C1613B to C1622B and
C1625B), which appeared to have accumulated rapidly. These deposits consisted
largely of lenses of alternating greyish-brown sandy clays and brown clays
which may represent mixed subsoil and soils of the original upcast. Dateable
material recovered from F78 included York Glazed Ware, Brandsby-type Ware,
York Ware and Dutch Red Sandy Ware.
Once backfilled, F78B was cut by a smaller, funnel-shaped feature F269B; the bases of both F78B and F269B exceeded safe limits and were not excavated further. Due to the collapsed sections, firm interpretation is not possible, but it appeared that F269B represented a wide circular cut measuring c.1.3m x 1.7m in plan. Upon excavation, the feature proved to have gently sloping sides to a depth of c.0.50m, thereafter narrowing to a 1.0m x 1.0m funnel with near-vertical sides. The form of F269B suggests a wide mouth and deep shaft, and may therefore be related to water collection. The backfill sequence of F269B comprised eight backfills, consisting of brown and grey clayey silts containing CBM, pottery, charcoal and mortar flecks and shell, suggesting rapid dumping of rubbish to disuse the feature. Dateable material included residual Period 2 to Period 7 ceramic and a sherd of Cistercian Ware. This sherd, alongside the stratigraphic position of F269B, commended it for allocation to Period 8B, and as a possible water collector it could well have served the nearby sporadic metal-working.
Once disused, water collector F269B and pit F78B were cut by two consecutive pits, F253B and F242B. F253B was identified as a sub-oval pit measuring 1.0m x 1.7m in plan and proved to be 0.74m deep. The feature comprised a near-vertical cut, with an irregular, possibly stepped base. Initial backfilling consisted of a reddish-brown clay and a dark greyish-brown silt; the latter was found to contain the remains of a cat (C1573B and C1569B). The deposition of rubbish appears to have been capped quickly with a redeposited sandy clay subsoil, C1568B, before final backfilling, represented by C1565B, C1564B and C1563b, all mixed brownish-grey clayey silts containing CBM, animal bone, pottery and mortar flecks. Dateable material recovered from F253B included residual Period 2 to Period 6 ceramic, but also a sherd of Langerwehe stoneware of mid-14th to 15th century date.
F253B was cut in turn by pit F242B, which appeared as a possibly sub-oval feature, truncated to its south by manhole F80B. Upon excavation, the feature proved to be a shallow pit, with gently sloping sides, which had been backfilled on three occasions, presumably quite rapidly, with C1528B, C1527B and C1212B; dateable material recovered included residual Period 6 to 7 pottery, but several sherds of Hambledon Ware, Cistercian Ware and a sherd of possibly intrusive Black Glazed Earthenware were also present. A total of over seventy pieces of metalwork were recovered from the backfills of the feature, mainly from the possibly primary basal deposit C1528B. The objects recovered included an array of late medieval items: two copper alloy scale pans, a dagger chape, barrel lock, scissors, lace chapes, pins, tinned iron finger rings and over fifty-five pieces of structural ironwork. It seems probable that the contents of F242B represent scrap metal, initially intended for recycling, but discarded in the latest phase of monastic precinct industry.
Elsewhere, scattered pit digging, postholes and makeshift hearths were identified and have been allocated to Period 8B (F54B/F187B/F199B, F88B, F178B, F186B, F257B, F380B, F476B, F477B, F479B, F486B to F488B, F496B to F498B, F500B, F505B, F506B, F512B to F515B). Some of these features constitute further pit digging, clustered around complexes F77B and F78B, and representing some of the latest features of the monastic period. Indeed, the pit complexes of F77B and F78B appear to lie within an area of concentrated activity during the latest phase of precinct use. The evidence for continued division and organisation which began in Period 7A to the west, might suggest this area of the precinct was specifically reserved for less industrial activity.
A small, isolated complex of features (F54B, F187B and F199B) was identified 10.0m to the east of pit complex F77B. F187B was identified as an amorphous cobble surface, comprising medium sized cobbles and pebbles set in a very dark grey silt C1180B, from which only pre-Period 8 pottery was recovered. During excavation, it appeared that F187B was cut by a sub-rectangular pit F54B, although F187B is visible lining the feature in post-excavation and must therefore post-date it. In addition, F54B had cut a small stakehole, F199B. This isolated knot of features has proved hard to interpret, but has been allocated to Period 8B, since the latest feature (F54B) contained Period 8B pottery, including Ryedale Ware and a piece of probably intrusive early 17th century tobacco pipe. These remnant cobble surfaces may represent small parts of the latest surfacing of the precinct, since patches of cobbled surface survived in three areas of Intervention 15 and all represented the latest episodes of activity prior to the Period 9A orchard soils (cf. F208B, C1291B and F475B C2014B); however, there is no obvious agent of truncation to explain the expanses where no cobbles were present.
The second area of cobbled surface allocated F475B was situated towards the northern limit of Intervention 15 to the west of F187B. It appeared directly beneath two remnants of orchard soil C1287B and C1286B and was visible over an area of approximately 4m 2. Upon excavation, a number of small postholes and stake holes were defined and excavated, and although an overlay shows that two postholes cut through the layer, the others seem likely to have been associated. The postholes (F476B, F477B, F479B, F486B to F488B, F496B to F498B, F500B, F505B, F506B, F512B to F515B) are broadly arranged within or near the footprint of surface F475B and some of the smaller and more ephemeral postholes are shallow enough to be explained as possible stone holes, particularly since their distribution falls away rapidly beyond the bounds of F475B. Nonetheless, the more substantial postholes (F512B to F514B and F497B) appear more convincing as genuine features, but do not betray any convincing patterning or alignment.
A small isolated pit, located to the south of pit complex F78B, was defined and excavated as F248B. The feature was defined as a possibly sub-rectangular scoop, which had been truncated by a Period 9D drain F63B. Upon excavation the feature proved to have a shallow, gently sloping cut, backfilled once with a very dark greyish-brown silty sand C1185B. C1185B contained a quantity of plain roof tile fragments and, given its stratigraphic position, must belong to Period 8B.
F178B was located towards the northwestern corner of Intervention 15 and
appeared as a sub-oval feature defined by a concentration of plain roof tiles
measuring c.1.0m in diameter (Plate
94, right). Upon excavation the feature
proved to have subsided into underlying Period 3 pit F164B on its eastern
side; the feature could have conceivably been set into a scoop created by
the subsidence of F164B, particularly since F178B is otherwise an isolated
feature with no apparent explanation for its location. The excavated form
of the feature consisted of a sub-oval scoop with gently sloping sides and
a small scoop in the base. The fill system consisted of an initial clod of
reddish-brown clay C1438B overlain by C1347B, a reddish-brown clayey-silt
which appeared to have been burnt in situ. Environmental assessment
identified hammerscale, slag and an iron and a copper alloy object in C1347B.
This burning was identified beneath C1292B, a consistent layer of fragmentary
plain rooftiles, which may have formed a temporary hearth base and was subsequently
overlain by a bright red clay C1293B, which yielded daub, hammerscale, lead
fragments as well as burnt grain and grape seeds. Also over C1292B were three
more restricted deposits of clayey silts C1337B, C1336B and C1348B. Environmental
assessment identified hammerscale and an iron objects in these latest layers.
F178B was reminiscent of F391B, a Period 8B hearth within pit complex F77B.
A large isolated scoop thought to represent the truncated remains of a large rubbish pit was defined and excavated close to the southern boundary of Intervention 15 (F186B). This feature was sealed by an extensive brown spread of clayey silt (C1255B), which has been identified as remnant Period 9A orchard soil. F186B was defined as a sub-oval feature measuring 3.0m x 2.0m, but disappearing beneath a modern sewer trench F106B to the east, and upon excavation was found to measure a maximum 0.30m deep. The feature had been backfilled with two deposits, C1364B=C1373B, a dark brown sandy clay and C1372B, a very dark greyish-brown silty clay. Dateable material recovered from F186B included the diagnostic Brandsby-type and Humber Ware, suggesting a Period 7A date for the feature; however, its stratigraphic position above F109B resulted in allocation to Period 8B.
An isolated, truncated pit (F310B) defined after the removal of a Period 9B wall F133B has been allocated to Period 8B. The feature was defined as a sub-circular pit measuring c.1.10m in diameter and proved to be 0.40m deep. Initially, the pit had been filled with a deposit of very dark greyish-brown silt (C1684B), containing rubbish in the form of animal bone, CBM, shell, charcoal and pottery. As a primary rubbish deposit C1684B was sampled, and environmental assessment identified fish bone and nutshell within the deposit. Subsequent backfilling was represented by C1682B, a very dark greyish-brown sandy clay containing CBM, charcoal and ceramic. Dateable material recovered from F310B included residual Period 7 pottery, as well as several sherds of Humberware and a sherd of Langerwehe stoneware. The feature appears to have been levelled by a brown silty clay allocated C1288B, thought to represent sinkage from overlying Period 9A orchard soil C1221B.
A small makeshift hearth was identified in the west facing section of Intervention 16 and was allocated F380B. The feature consisted of a thin deposit of reddish-brown slightly clayey fine silt (C1834B) floating between two substantial layers of brown clayey-silt which were not easily distinguished form one another (C1833B and C1826B). No dateable material was recovered from F380B, but the feature has been assigned to Period 8B, since it sits easily with other light industrial features belonging securely to Period 8B. It is also assumed that the homogenous brown layer the feature sat upon was equivalent to Period 8A landscaping deposits; the overlying brown soils have equivalents in nearby small interventions and are assumed to represent Period 9A orchard soils.
F88B was a probable rubbish pit encountered within Intervention 19, and was only partially visible within the limits of the intervention, disappearing beneath the northern and western limit of excavation. The feature appeared to represent part of a sub-rectangular or sub-square pit, with steep sloping sides up to 0.45m deep. The pit had been backfilled on five separate occasions with C2002B, C2001B, C2000B, C1230B and C1229B. The initial backfill of the pit was represented by C2002B, an extensive dark grey silty clay deposit containing animal bone and pottery and covering the entire feature base. Pottery recovered from this deposit included residual Period 2, 3 and 7 pottery, although the Period 2 ceramic presence is unsurprising, given that the pit truncated field boundary ditch F474B. The subsequent fills, C2001B and C2000B, consisted of thin spreads of light grey sandy silt and charcoal-rich sandy silt respectively. Environmental assessment identified a large quantity of charcoal, alongside slag, hammerscale and a bent copper alloy ear scoop. No in situburning was encountered, but C2001 and C2000B have been interpreted as primary fills and appear quasi-industrial in nature. Following the accumulation of these fills, F88B was disused quite rapidly with two more substantial deposits of dark grey silty clays C1229B and C1230B. Material recovered from these deposits included residual Period 5 to 7 pottery, high levels of Humber Ware wasters, and, importantly, sherds of Period 8 Cistercian Ware and Glazed Red Earthenware. Four stakeholes were visible in the base of F88B, and while they were not detected in plan during excavation of the pit, they may have been integral to its form and related to its semi-industrial use (F467B to F470B).
Within smaller interventions some features appeared to belong to Period
8B since they were directly overlain by orchard soils. Within Intervention
13, two shallow scoops (F42B and F41B) were identified and appeared to date
to Period 7, since a sherd of Brandsby-type Ware was recovered from the latest
F41B. However, pottery recovered during definition of these features included
Humber Ware, suggesting that they may date to a later period. Within Intervention
22, a substantial well was defined and excavated, comprising a large construction
cut and centrally placed well shaft (F434B and F403B) (see Figure 63, Plate
95, right). The construction cut consisted of a sub-circular, steep-sided
shaft measuring c.1.8m in diameter. The upper fill of F434B/F403B
was allocated C1800B, and was represented by a dump of loose rubble and mixed
soil. This deposit was considered to relate to late landscaping and disuse
of the well remains. Upon the removal of C1800B, a centrally positioned sub-circular
shaft was identified within F434B, and allocated F403B. During excavation
F403B appeared as a circular deposit of very dark greyish-brown sandy clay
containing orange clay clods, brick and tile fragments and mixed gravel,
clearly visible against the brown sandy clay backfill of F434B. Both features
were excavated to a depth of 1.20m and augered thereafter, suggesting a depth
exceeding 2.10m. Ceramic recovered from the backfill of F403B included Humber
Ware wasters and a sherd from a Cistercian Ware cup, and the feature is therefore
likely to be of early Period 8 construction. Within Intervention 28 two truncated
rubbish pits were defined, F568B and F570B, both contained homogenous dark
grey single backfills and contained Humber Ware pottery.
Lay cemetery
The majority of burials have been allocated to the later phase of the cemetery, as they overlie or cut the earliest graves and are positioned to the north of ditch F288F, but are not cut by it. Since the majority of burials have been allocated to this later phase, and cannot yet be confidently assigned an accurate date, the cemetery analyses and identified characteristics are discussed in this section.
Late cemetery boundary
Ditch F288F was recorded during fieldwork as a pit or ditch, and although
the post-excavation plan is somewhat irregular, the symmetrical profile and
parallel sides are broadly suggestive of those of a ditch (Figure 65, Plate
96, right). As such, the ditch would appear to supercede ditch F263F/F282F as a
new cemetery boundary. There are a number of reasons for this interpretation:
the ditch has clearly truncated earlier burials, demonstrating that it was
not the original demarcation of the area for burial; the pottery recovered
from the southern ditch F263F/F242F included the diagnostic and typical Period
7 pottery, i.e. Humber Ware in the presence of the slightly earlier Brandsby-type
Ware; no brick was included in the range of CBM forms, which could be indicative
of a later 14th century date for disuse. The dateable material recovered
from F288F, however, included only Humber Ware, without the presence of Brandsby-type
Ware, but with brick suggesting a date after the late 14th century onwards.
It seems likely that F288F was actually disused when the cemetery fell out
of use, which is currently thought to have occurred during the late 15th
to early 16th century. The lack of material being deposited during the life
of the cemetery is noteworthy, and it is therefore not surprising that material
of a distinctly later date did not make its way into the backfill of F288F.
As well as the sequential dating evidence, the density of burials encountered to the north of F288F is far greater than in the region between the postulated shifting boundaries, even without the somewhat arbitrary allocation of Intervention 1 and 2 burials to either early or later phases. This suggests that the cemetery was forced to contract during its lifetime, possible due to pressure for land, rather than expanding to create more room for dispersed burial. Only burials to the south of F288F were disturbed by pit digging, indicating that after the boundary had shifted, land-use to the south changed and pit digging activity reached very close to the new cemetery confines. The contraction of the cemetery is likely to have taken place after the early 14th century, based on the date of disuse of the early boundary ditch. The pits which disturb burials outside F288F, namely F229F, F239F, F258F, F240F and F302F, are dated only by what is currently considered to be residual pottery from the Roman period to the 11th century. As it is presumed that pit digging within hallowed ground would not have been permitted, these pits have been allocated to the period after the cemetery contracted, largely due to the quantity of redeposited human bone contained in their backfills. While definition during excavation was very poor, post-excavation analysis has shown that some of these pits directly truncated earlier graves whereas others did not, but still contained human bone suggesting a lengthier recycling of charnel.
Indeed, the mixed pottery dates might suggest that burial started as early as Period 4, although this presents a picture of alternate pit digging and burial from the 10th to the 12th century, thereby contradicting the results of ceramic sherd weight and condition analysis. The density of burial that predates these pit features is quite high, and suggests burials accumulating over some time; for example, pit F258F disturbs four burials, three of which are sequential. The burials to the south of F288F are subject to high levels of non-burial medieval disturbance; conversely the burials contained by F288F, without exception, are only disturbed by modern features, which post-date the disuse of the cemetery, attributed largely to the periods during and after the construction of Fishergate House. This suggests that the later dense burials within the area enclosed by F288F enjoyed the protection of consecrated ground until the disuse of the cemetery sometime in the late 15th to early 16th century. It should also be noted that no Period 5 to 8 activity was encountered within the main burial area at Fishergate House and this alone may indicate a date bracket for the cemetery.
Later cemetery organisation
No subtleties of a change in orientation have been detected through time, and most burials conform to a west-east alignment deviating by only a few degrees. Some burials do show quite a marked deviation, but they are distributed randomly in space and time; nor do the subtleties and variation appear to have been influenced by local features such as pathways (indicated by corridors of land with no burials). The replacement of cemetery boundaries which have a slightly different east-west orientation does not appear to be reflected by the later burials shifting to respect the new alignments. Once again, some element of regimentation can be detected in the grave positions, although the later phases do display greater levels of intercutting, which is unsurprising given the restriction of space caused by the contraction of the cemetery.
In some instances the juxtaposition or sequence of burials allowed insight into possible familial associations. Two baby skeletons, Inhumations 162 and 163, were identified side-by-side in Intervention 2 and osteological analysis found that they belonged to foetuses both aged 34 weeks in utero (Figure 66). Although no grave cut was defined successfully for either burial, osteological analysis suggested the burials represent premature twins, which would therefore have been interred together. A double burial, possibly of a mother and child, was also identified; Inhumation 40 was identified as that of a mature adult female and the remains of a child, Inhumation 41, aged between 1 to 2 years were identified laid over her chest. Other familial groupings could potentially be identified from burial sequence and layout, although any combination of age and sex could relate to any combination of relationship, and without more convincing evidence of association within the dense burials it is difficult to draw further conclusions.
Burial practice
The uniformity of burials was remarkable throughout the cemetery in both phases and consisted of an extended supine position with extended arms placed either to the sides, crossed over the torso or hands placed on the pelvis (see Table 4). The presence of shrouds or winding cloths was often implied by the burial position, which in some cases appeared particularly 'tidy' and confined, with the knees and feet close together, or the hands placed over the pelvis. Although, only one possible copper-alloy shroud pin was recovered (Inhumation 21), this does not in itself disprove the presence or absence of shrouds in other burials, since they may have been tied, bound, sewn or otherwise fastened with organic material. Ninety-nine burials were identified which appeared to have been confined by the presence of a shroud and, when plotted, they appear in all areas and both provisional phases, with no obvious discrimination. Many more shrouds are likely to have been present, but detection by burial position alone was made difficult in those graves which had the diagnostic limb positions damaged or disturbed by intercutting burials.
Special burials
The simple mode of burial identified for the majority of graves within the Fishergate cemetery allowed some to be designated 'special' burials. A total of six burials included evidence for different treatment: Inhumation 81 (F90F), Inhumation 108 (F121F), Inhumation 123 (F139F), Inhumation 139 (F155F), Inhumation 214 (F277F) and Inhumation 244 (F318F).
Coffined burials
Only two coffined burials were detected, either in the field or during post-excavation: Inhumation 88 was identified as a burial interred with a wooden coffin betrayed by the presence and distribution of forty-six iron nails, and Inhumation 244, in a composite stone coffin. Other scattered iron nails were recovered from graves, but alone are not sufficient indicators.
Inhumation 88(Figure 67)
This grave consisted of a poorly-defined cut which was found to contain the skeleton of an old-middle-adult male aged between 35 to 45 years. Forty-six iron nails were located in 3-D, predominantly on the southern side of the grave and overlying the skeleton. All of the nails were recovered overlying the skeleton and their distribution suggests a planked lid, held with nailed wooden batons, which appears to have collapsed southwards during decomposition.
Inhumation 244(Figure 68, Plate 97, below right)
This burial was identified by the presence of an east-west arrangement of
upright limestone blocks turning 90 degrees to form two sides of a composite
stone coffin. Only the northern and eastern coffin sides were visible, the
southern was apparently missing, probably truncated by subsequent graves
which lay beyond the area of investigation; the western side lay beyond the
baulk. Only a few centimetres of Inhumation 244 extended into Intervention
4, negating the need for mitigation excavation, and only exploratory excavation
was undertaken to prove the presence of a burial inside the coffin; as a
result no osteological analysis was undertaken.
Grave goods
Inhumation 139(Figure 69, Plates 98, 99 and 100)
This inhumation was situated in the southernmost area of Intervention 1 in a well-defined grave-cut measuring 1.70m x 0.45m x 0.30m. Osteological assessment identified the skeleton as that of a female aged between 35 to 45 years. On her left middle finger a decorative copper-alloy ring was found, which consisted of a welded band of copper alloy with a soldered oval bezel on which the initial 'I' was cast with primitive sprigs of foliage incised to either side; this is known as a merchant ring.
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| Plate 98 | Plate 99 | Plate 100 |
Inhumation 108 (Figure 70, Plates 101, 102 and 103)
This grave was a poorly-defined cut, visible only on its southern side, and was found to contain the skeleton of a mature female aged between 35 to 45 years. At her waist a perforated scallop shell was found and may have originally been suspended on a belt from her waist or sewn onto a bag or similar. The shell normally denotes pilgrimage to the shrine of St James at Compostella in northern Spain and the scallop has been identified to species (Pecten jacobaeus), which is distributed around the Mediterranean sea, off the Canary and Cape Verde Islands and therefore may indeed originate from the northern coast of Spain (Dr Nicky Milner, pers. comm.). Pilgrims are often treated differently in burial grounds and evidence for interment fully clothed is often identified, a special dispensation otherwise reserved for the clergy. The presence of the scallop shell allows identification of a pilgrim and this may also indicate she was buried clothed; the position of the shell within the grave suggests it may have been fixed to a pilgrim's leather bag or scrip (Dr Peter Yeoman, pers. comm.)
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| Plate 101 | Plate 102 | Plate 103 |
Inhumation 123(Figure 71, Plate 104, below right)
This grave was identified only by the partial in situ male skeleton,
which had been badly disturbed by three subsequent graves, Inhumations 153,
158 and 17; the left side had also been truncated by an unseen agent. This
truncation had displaced and flipped the sacrum, beneath which a copper-alloy
mount was found, which would originally have been in place, face-up over
the pelvis. The object consists of a cast copper-alloy, ornate, diamond-shaped
mount with punched and repoussé decoration in the form of a expanded-arm
cross with straps and ropework around its edges. At two opposing corners
an arrangement of three clenched rivets are preserved, and mineralised wood
was found adhering to the back of the object. The object had clearly been
mounted onto a wooden object which may have been a mortuary cross. Such objects
are not uncommon in Christian burials, normally made of lead.
Inhumation 214 (Figure 72, Plate 105, below right)
This grave was well-defined during excavation, but had suffered some horizontal
truncation from overlying Inhumation 226 and had been cut away to the west
by a modern drain. The remains of a mature female (45+ years) were identified,
and the burial position suggests a shrouded burial. In addition, an iron
slide key was found with the skeleton, close to the waist on the right side.
This form of key dates to the late 11th to early 13th century, indicating
a grave of pre-14th century date; the burial also lay outside the late cemetery
boundary.
The 'special' burials, regardless of provisional phasing appear to be concentrated either close to boundary ditch F288F or towards the eastern side of the excavated area. The inclusion of grave goods in these burials may denote elevated status in life and a greater ability to select prime burial spots; it would therefore seem that the boundary ditch formed something of an attraction to burials. Since the eastern and northern boundaries were not encountered it is not possible to say more about the distribution of these graves, although it may be that the distribution reflects a general eastward pull, perhaps of Fishergate, but possibly even a focal building or upstanding cross.
Period 8 pits at Fishergate House
The following features were identified to the south of late cemetery boundary F288F and were allocated to Period 8 on the presence of disarticulated human bone presumed to derive from the early phase burials within the feature fills: F229F, F239F, F258F, F240F and F302F (see Figure 65).
F229F was defined and excavated within Intervention 4 and appeared as a sub-circular pit measuring 0.90m in diameter, which cut an earlier Period 4 feature, F231F. Two sherds of residual Roman pottery and a single sherd of York A Ware were recovered from the single backfill, C1430F, but the presence of two human skulls and other disarticulated human bone suggests the pit disturbed graves provisionally assigned to Period 7, although admittedly, the bone may derive from earlier burials. No burials were found to have been directly truncated by the digging of F229F and the bone may already have been disturbed by earlier pit digging.
F239F was only partially visible within Intervention 4 but upon excavation was identified as a posthole measuring 0.85m deep. A post-pipe was identified in the base of the construction cut, and post-packing material of redeposited clay subsoil C1448F. This material was distinct from the posthole backfill, C1494F which consisted of a dark brown silty clay. Dateable material recovered consisted of Torksey Ware, Stamford Ware, York Ware, York Splash Glazed Ware and York Gritty Ware. Like F229F the posthole may be early, although the presence of a quantity of disarticulated human bone resulted in allocation to the later phase. In addition, F239F did not clearly and directly truncate in situburials, suggesting that previous pit digging had originally disturbed bones which then continued to be recycled by activity in the area.
F240F was defined as a small gully orientated north-south and visible for a length of c.0.60m before it disappeared beyond the northern limit if the intervention. No dateable material was recovered from the gully backfill C1449F, but the feature cut into pit F258, which in turn cut three burials, and as such F240F is clearly later than these burials. For this reason, it seems probable that the digging of this gully may be the reason for cranial damage noted in Inhumation 210 to the north.
F258F consisted of a poorly defined truncated scoop measuring at least 0.90m x 0.30m, which was found during post-excavation to have cut a sequence of three burials (Inhumations 208, 204 and 205) as well as a fourth separate inhumation, 210. In addition to a large quantity of redeposited human bone, mixed pottery was recovered from the feature backfill (C1468F) including Lincoln Fine-Shelled Ware, Staxton Ware and York Gritty Ware, all of which may be residual from preceding Period 4 to Period 5 features nearby.
F302F was identified as an irregular scoop located in the north-south trench of Intervention 4 which had been cut by two modern drains. Upon excavation, it proved to be poorly-defined, and had been backfilled once with C1566F from which a mixed ceramic assemblage was recovered, including Grey Wares, Ebor Ware, Northern Maxey Ware, Stamford Ware, York Ware, York Gritty Ware and Northern French Ware. A quantity of disarticulated human bone was also recovered. During excavation several burials were considered to have been 'within' the feature and therefore presumed to be later; however, inspection of the post-excavation plan suggests the digging of the scoop had truncated burials, namely Inhumation 225 and 229. Inhumation 225 survived the digging of F302F only as a partial rib cage, shoulder blade and upper limb bones; Inhumation 229 survived as a partial torso and the left radius and ulna had been clearly disturbed by F302F.
apc > monographs > blue bridge lane & fishergate house > archive > field report > results > period 8