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Field Report: Results

3.0 Results

The results of the post-excavation analysis of the excavation records are presented as nine periods of activity (Table 3). These periods are, in some cases, further sub-divided into phases which represent distinct changes in activity or sequence during a period such as 'construction', 'use' and disuse'. The definition of these periods has been achieved through a programme of detailed stratigraphic and structural analysis, which also assimilated the results of the specialist assessments.

Dating relies principally on ceramic and CBM dates, which were used to rectify the stratigraphic diagram. A small assemblage of coins and a rich collection of dateable artefacts has been used particularly where intrusion or residuality was suspected. A high degree of intrusion, particularly of Humberware sherds, was noted by the ceramic assessment in deposits otherwise thought to be of Roman to high medieval date. The frequency and intrusion of this particular pottery type has been attributed to the production of pottery at the site, and its presence in features which, stratigraphically, could have been earlier has been subject to critical examination, particularly since it was contained in some quantity in the post-Medieval soil overburden of the site. Intrusion was particularly high in features of Anglian date. Excavation at 46-54 Fishergate also encountered levels of intrusive pottery, particularly in Anglian features, which was attributed to the 'settling of lower fills and the consequent slumping of stratigraphically later layers' (Mainman 1993, 563). In addition, the presence of an orchard at the site from the mid-16th century was manifest as root-disturbed features throughout the site, and the presence of mature fruit trees overlying archaeological features may have contributed to high levels of intrusion.

A total of eight radio-carbon dates has been selected from targeted stratified burials in order to test the different hypotheses posited for the date and layout of the cemetery. Additionally, a grave which was positioned outside the main concentration of burial, and which was cut by a feature containing 12th century pottery, has been selected in order to test the possibility that it may be Roman in date. Until the results of radiocarbon dating are returned, the cemetery is narrated alongside the high and later medieval periods, although it is acknowledged that its foundation could well be earlier.

Table 3 Summary of periods and phases of activity
Period		Phase	Activity	Date	Ceramic spot date
1		-	migratory occupation	Mesolithic+	-
2		-	cemetery, road and field system	L1 to M3	1.2+ to 3.1
3		-	occupation and craft-working	L7 to M9	8.1
4		-	structures and occupation	L9 to M11	10.2 to 11.2
5		-	scattered pit digging	L11 to L12	12.1 to 12.2
6		-	structures and organised refuse disposal from priory, ?cemetery laid out and consecrated	L12 to M14	12.3 to 14.2
7	A		refuse disposal, continued burial	E to M14	14.2
	B	clay quarrying and pottery production	M14	14.2
	C	dismantling of kiln, levelling of kiln and quarry pits	M to L14	14.2/14.3
8	A		landscaping of industrial areas and division of precinct	L14	14.3 to 15.1
8	B	light industry, continued demarcation of precinct activity, cemetery contracts, but with continued burial	L14 to E16	15.1 to 16.1
9	A		dissolution, orchard soils, some demarcation of property boundaries burial ceases	M16 to M18	16.2 to 18.2
	B	construction of Freshfields Cottage and ancillary buildings, Fishergate Villa and Fishergate House	L18 to M19	-
	C	development of Fishergate frontage including demolition of Fishergate Villa	M19 to L20	-
	D	demolition of Freshfields Cottage, construction of modern buildings including City Picture House and The Rialto	20	-

AutoCAD drawings of the features associated with each period are available in the Phases section of the Archive page.

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