YORKSHIRE No.19 ARCHAEOLOGY TODAY

Jet Set

Roman Finds from Hungate

Inside: YORK ‘Viking’ Gold? ARCHAEOLOGICAL Back to Blossom Street TRUST Kirkby Overblow ArcHeritage: YAT in South Yorkshire Yorkshire Archaeology Today

Summer 2010

Contents Number 19 VIKING GOLD? 1 Editor: Richard Hall Photo editing, typesetting, JET & GLASS & ROCKS ‘n’ STONES 4 design & layout: Lesley Collett Hungate Update Printed by Technoprint, Leeds

MINSTER MISCELLANY 12 Yorkshire Archaeology Today New Projects at York Minster is published twice a year. UK subscriptions: £10.00 a year. Overseas subscriptions: £14.00 (sterling) a year. BACK TO BLOSSOM STREET 13 To subscribe please send a cheque payable to Yorkshire Archaeology Today to: Before the Normans at Kirkby Overblow 18 York Archaeological Trust, 47 Aldwark YO1 7BX ArcHeritage: YAT in South Yorkshire 20 or through Postgiro/CPP to: ACCOUNT 647 2753 Best Years of your Lives 24 National Giro, Bootle, Oral history of York schooldays Merseyside, GIR 0AA

Yorkshire Archaeology Today is published by York Archaeological Trust. Editorial and contributors’ views are independent and do not necessarily reflect the official view of the Trust. Copyright of all original YAT material reserved; reproduction by prior editorial permission only. © York Archaeological Trust, September 2010

York Archaeological Trust is a registered charity, Charity No. 509060: A company limited by guarantee without share capital in England number 1430801. Tel: 01904 663000 Email: [email protected] http://www.yorkarchaeology.co.uk ISSN 1474-4562

Unless stated otherwise, illustrations are by Lesley Collett and Russell Marwood; photos are by Mike Andrews and members of YAT staff and are © York Archaeological Trust

Jet and Shale bracelets found in a Roman burial at Hungate: p.4 Photo: Mike Andrews h ovltdsoyo a twisted arm-ring The convoluted of story date. Although the objects themselves might themselves objects the Although date. the Roman mystery objects were in a layer of that confident pretty be we’d then pottery, Viking and, Age pottery higher still, medieval only containing layers below was and layer types, this Roman well-known of objects objects were found contains only and pottery mystery the where layer the example, for them. If, date to us help may this context, or layer particular a from came they and that know ourselves, objects the excavated have we if many cases, tricky over more these point In centuries. any at made been have al,aeo types so common that th nails, are of simple like others, while recognisable, easily so not are however, objects, Some point. in case a is ware Samian as known date Roman of pottery red glossy the them; mis-identify to difficult it’sexperience, minimal only with of are artefacts so distinctive that, Some types of origin and age objects. The answer is that sometimes it’s easy. the go identifying archaeologists about how asked often We’re VIKING GOLD? ey could Viking gold armlet; an a be might it if as looked certainly It agreed. weViking origin, and he askedit wasus if of whichor armlet he owns. He’d been told that York resident who showed us a gold ‘bracelet’ always thatsimple… aren’t things However, facts. the determine to us help then would items of lots seeing of experience our that hope we’dearlier, be a aeo gold. was made of arm-ring, simple a item, one only but rods), and brooches, up brokeningots and armrings four including silver of pieces 67 were there coins silver 617 to addition in cup, gilt silver a within contained example, for hoard, York precious commodity. more In the recently discovered Vale and of rarer much a obviously was gold common, comparatively are hoards silver While Isles. British the in mind never world, Viking the across recoveredbeen have jewellery gold of pieces few relatively for us, A few months ago YAT was visited by a by visited YATwas ago months few A ,o d, course, of this excited

yorkshire archaeology today 1 yorkshire archaeology today 2 of thearmring clue totheprovenance give a may analysed twisted gold, whichif the intersticesof trappedin particles views reveal soil Below: Close-up punched motifs with triangular decorated terminals Above: Spatulate it; the dealer attributed it to ‘Viking Danelaw.‘Viking to it attributed dealer the it; bought had he that said who Jersey New in dealer American an from it acquired had he answer, however, was not the most helpful, for The object’s pedigree. the of tree family a of the object’s history, by providing the equivalent hoped that his answer would provide a clue to had comethis armring into his possession; we zig-zag overall an It weighs,pattern. we are told, 72.6g. forming terminals, the into design a stamp to used been has corner each in pellet small a with punch triangular A terminals. spatulate create to out flattened then and together beaten been have rods the end each at metal; twisting of rods interlaced together by made was It fully arm-ring. quite circular) not a (i.e. penannular a called is We, course, of asked the present owner how what is YAT into brought object The eid f mnfcue ahr hn another. than rather manufacture of period one to point to emerge would characteristic how of it was made, in the hope that something signs other or marks tool suchas information invisible almost glean to microscope a under like precisely is it Wearmlets. Viking-Age it viewgenuine could not or whether to decide able be might we means this By Viking-Age date. in be to claim well-authenticated a have do which items similar broadly other, to detail in it compare to typology, could its Westudy possible. were approach of lines Several detail. more in itself armlet gold the a prospective mislead purchaser? to intention deliberate a without or with older, something resemble to made item, modern a be it could Or Atlantic? the across sold and recently,detectorists metal by find from a unknown hitherto site, discovered a be it could Or ownership? private in after years gaze public to long-lost re-emerging a discovery, be this Could us. intrigued and tantalized this of All provenance. a have not did it archaeo-speak, in orphan; effectivelyan was YAT into brought object the therefore, America. in the UKto end upinNorth found objects Viking for unknown it’snot so California; in possession private in up ended the Atlantic. crossing These silver of armrings successful its following displayed was Fjord based on the original found at Gokstad in Oslo Chicago in in 1893, where the replica Viking Exhibition ship World the at purchased been had They attention, general into back come Selby,outside meadow Yorkshire, North have a in found armrings, twisted or plaited annular silver 9th/10th-century late two recently because attractive seem might ‘Humberside’ this rather vague attribution. An attribution to support to details precise more no are there but workshop’; Humberside … Northumbria To find out more, we had toexamine had we more, out find To terms, pedigree family in Nevertheless, Viking-Age rowing boat containing a multiplea rowingcontaining boat Viking-Age the of remains the in planks the of caulking inthe trapped grains, sand of identification geological was be it example, could For further. which taken enquiry of line a be might This things...). drop do (people with ground contact the recent of result the or fakery clever be could this although ground; the in buried found been had it authenticity, if as of sign a like looked this it of face the On soil. like looked what of particles tiny were there gold, of strands the amongst in that, revealed enactors, not least inthe USA. Viking-Age objects are made byof and for re- replicas twist, further a yet in And, sold. and exported illegally beingtheBalticStatesare in alleged that genuine Viking-Age objects found Toregion. this in rare complicatematters, is it are objects alloy gold or gold but elsewhere; and Gotland on area, Baltic the in found are them. Some plaited broadly armrings similar of of form west points all and Denmark and Norway in found not is in terminals, ending spatulate rods interlaced with armlet, Age Viking Age. the in goldsmiths to inaccessible or unknown world the of areas in mined gold from made was it that prove which constituents contain example, for or, gold Viking-Age of norms trace elements other of than pure gold, conform to the terms in composition, its see whether to itself gold the analyse could we And okn a i udr h microscope the under it at Looking Viking- of form this Typologically, farchaeologicalof life’s little mysteries. Viking-Ageoriginals. presentAt remainsit one fabrication,moderna onbased bemight it or activity; Viking of area eastern the in found originallyViking-Ageitema bemight Isles.It Viking-Age artefact originally found in the maybe,thisobjectrelativelyis Britishunlikelya be to reasons, was notundertaken. budgetary for and, affair costly more a been have would traces, critical diagnostically but any small only identify were there which to of constituents analysis, detailed more A analysis. to subject been have Baltic, eastern mentioned armring above); but relatively few, gold particularly from the York of Vale the in copper, and silver with gold, 94-97% the that (compare objects to Viking-Age some compared in found gold of percentage low rather a is This silver. 40% and gold 60% of ofDurham showed that the armring is made from an alloy University the at fluorescence Britain but, probably, inScandinavia. in built been not which had vessel the 1991, that showed in Orkney Sanday, on Scar at sea the into eroding found was which burial for the opinions expressed lies wholly with the author. and Birgitta Hårdh for helpful comments. Responsibility analysis, and to Nicky Rogers, James metallurgicalGraham-Campbellarranging anddiscussing for Laboratory IanPanter andMagsFelter theinYAT Conservation Ourthanks to the owner for showing the object to us, to u oiin te, s ht htvr le it whatever else that is then, opinion,Our x-ray by analysis metallurgical Simple Richard Hall

yorkshire archaeology today 3 Hungate Block H in 2010

e first brought you news of the Trust’s major Wexcavation campaign in Hungate, York in 2007. We have been investigating adjacent sites which comprise the re-development area in this previously rather neglected neighbourhood close to the River Foss. Year by year there has been a series of exciting and, in some cases, unprecedented discoveries, and this has continued during 2010. W f h rhsoyo theFoss valley. of theprehistory of polished Neolithic stone axe, which a will all add to what we know of part and scrapers we’ve so far includes observed some obvious what but dates and usage, forms, exact their about more know will we specialist, a by at looked been have artefacts these When site. whole the across features medieval later and Anglo-Scandinavian Roman, from retrieved being are artefacts these as prehistoric, call of can we that still feature specific a find to waiting are assemblage we although interesting artefacts, prehistoric but small a along.location onsiteaswe go period-by- a in of details order,adding chronological period things cover and try will h ecvto cnius o produce to continues excavation The cos h woe f Bok , o I so H, Block of whole the across areas several in working been have e excavation areaswithinthedevelopment blocks Site locationand gi ntig soihn a i ws seen was it as astonishing nothing again them contained complete pots in the grave backfill, of Some northeast. feet - southwest head aligned rest the with southeast, feet - northwest head aligned were Two unusual. are removed.as laterdeposits more find to expect we and excavated be to as increase there are still some grave-shaped features still undoubtedly will number this but area this in excavated been have graves ten far So revealed. was burials century 4th to 3rd of cluster a accumulations, levelling stripe’ Anglo-Scandinavian‘tiger the beneath site, the of corner southern the In lifetime. a in once get may the you that material archaeology,of type Roman impressive some find very to began we melted, had snow The graves themselves are not especially not are themselves graves The the after long not 2010, of start the At Building Focal

yorkshire archaeology today 5 yorkshire archaeology today 6 skeleton seen totherightof canbe iron hobnails concretions aroundthe shoes solessurvivingas burials inprogress; oftheRoman of one Below: excavation excavated features showing recently- Plan ofBlockH uvvd rvaig hr te ae o the of faces the where revealing survived, the coffin nails buried in a coffin, as some of been have would corpse the that tell could the skeletonthough very survived little we of even but preserved, poorly very this were burial from remains organic the of majority The afterlife. the into journey the for meal a represent presumably which chicken, a of some bird bones, possibly the remains partial and Trier from beaker drinking small a was it Inside jar. ware grey complete almost an contained lain, have would body the where above fill, grave the of part upper The west. grave’, was aligned with the ‘Glass the head to as the north- known first, The astonishing. out within thegrave. laid deliberately were they sometimes these Sometimes and deceased, the by worn being were shoes nails’. ‘hob the around iron of concretions of form the in surviving graves were different individual, the of shoes the contained which little a was which Something 2002. in site the on evaluations trial the during and excavations H1 the on oee, w o h gae were graves the of two However, coloured glassbeadsfromthe ‘glass’ burial Centre: Glassunguentbottle and(bottom) the and decorated, highly was and shale of a twisted made was second the bracelet, alloy was copper first The discovered. were pelvis,the bracelets different three of top on lain have would hands the where grave, the of centre the In necklaces. decorated highly and elaborate very twoseparate what be to appear representing discovered, were jet beads trumpet-shaped and tube incised disc, decorated disc, plain hundred five neck over area, the in grave, the of end other the At shoes. of pair a for hobnails the found were that suggest we had a small box, within which brackets or nails iron grave, the of end foot the Firstly,at surprises. more even held case inthis goods grave the However, coffin. a in buried been had body the that indicated again nails of survival the although it, with associated pot no was there and south-west, the to head the with aligned was time grave This the corpse. the with buried objects jet of abundance the to ‘Jetdue the grave’ as more lavish our burials. This grave was of to become second know the be to proved and up cleaned was H Block surprises. of corner southern further far the deliverin soils the in discolouration Another to continued archaeology the excited but find, byvery this bones: asmaller contained Trier beakerandsomebird ofthericherburials,Greyware jarfromone which necklace.been ahighlycolourfulandornate havewould what representing area, neck the that 299 tiny fact glass and jet the beads were from found in nickname its gets burial The head. the to next found oils, or perfume for section) and an indented glass unguent bottle single small jet bead(bothrecoveredthe mid- from a bangle, shale complete a included these and well astonishingly survived burial the with associated good grave inorganic the However, together. joined been had coffin h ta o st wr understandably were site on team The

yorkshire archaeology today 7 yorkshire archaeology today 8 vlain o 02 ht ugse w may we suggested the that 2002 so of evaluations cremations, or burials with linked be to appears far so excavated archaeology three cremations buried in the a Romanline. of All of cluster a excavated also have We deposits. later of backfills the in found been have bones disturbed and features cut later of sides H, the in seen Block been have others whilst of part central the been in have excavated burials further three of total A site. the of rest the across features Roman they are. beautiful how just see can everyone so soon very display on finds these get to hope we artefacts make up an amazing assemblage and as together a flexible bracelet. these Together edged half-moon jet plates which were strung saw-tooth- thirty-eight of up wasmade third coffin woodenboxin asmall placedatthefoot ofthe have indicatethattheshoesmay nails beenplaced Below: oftheshoesabove; Detail of theremains shoes (topofpicture). ofapair while beyondthefeet aretheremains bracelets canbeseenemerginginthechestarea, Left: The ‘jet’ burialduringexcavation. Jet More recently we have also been revealing decoration Bottom; twoshalebangles, withcarved one decoratedbeads thirty-eight Centre: upof segmentedjetbracelet made how theyinterlock beads with(below)ofasinglebeadshowing detail Top: ofsegmentedjet made ofanecklace part Some ofthefindsfrom ‘jet’ grave: partitioned their had back yard household into separate areas. each if as almost plots, the of each within place taking were activities along the edges.that differing This suggested screens or walls wickerwork with structures be may what of hints had we cases some in and front, street the towards colouring black showing far more contrast in their orange and of 2010, we found half that the striped deposits were first the during Initially, Hungate. of edge the along deposits stripe’ ‘tiger the of understanding our towards strides great debris. disposal of the for purely used being was area this that be may it so below, described archaeology the ‘hot’ archaeology,with this links in or features obvious no are There with metalworking. linked be may which materials other and waste industrial fragments, crucible in phased the stratigraphy.We increase marked a haveseen with conjunction in at looked are samples and finds the once information more give will features These pits. cess and waste of series a produce to continued Hungate, has along plots The Anglo-Scandinavian site. the of rear the to site, the of on area north-east archaeology Anglo- Scandinavian the have of we understanding our that in made strides great to the easy be overlook would it goods, grave Roman landscape. funerary now thought more likely to represent a purely are structures and occupation Roman have During the summer the team have made have team the summer the During impressive the by created buzz the With

yorkshire archaeology today 9 GOING, GOING, However, by the summer we had extended buildings linked with this? However, we feel GONE: a cremation the southern part of the trench further that we are getting closer to understanding urn from the Roman towards Hungate, giving us the opportunity these unusual deposits. cemetery at Hungate to investigate areas of burning which were is gradually excavated situated in the centre of each plot. This new As we have been working across the north- in the Conservation work has revealed that we have built hearth east side of the site we have once again had Laboratory structures which have been repeatedly used a chance to look at the medieval archaeology and then ‘raked out’, giving us the origins for which survives here. The features seem to the black ash layers. We have also seen the be split into three basic types. The first are remains of an oven-like feature, built from huge quarrying and robbing pits which are clay, which had been destroyed and levelled relatively empty of obviously interesting after use, giving us one example for the source material, though occasionally they produce of the burnt daub layers. These burning events some interesting objects. The second consists have been repeatedly sealed by inert silts and of a number of smaller rubbish pits which clays, giving the final element of the striped are packed with finds dating towards the very deposits. The only material which we have end of the medieval period, which suggests found directly linked with one of the firing that these pits are certainly later than the events was some burnt grain, and looking for larger ones. Finally there are stony deposits metalworking residues has been fruitless. which are linked with the medieval extension ‘Tiger-stripe’ deposits of an Anglo-Scandinavian plot boundary of silts and charcoal There are still plenty of questions about to create Haver Lane, which eventually built up on one of the what type of industry we are looking at. Was connected Hungate to the southern side of plots it seasonal? How long did it take to build up the long-demolished All Saints church in these deposits? Why are there no obvious Peasholme Green. The work that has been carried out from to tease more out of this picture during post- July through to September appears to indicate excavation processes, which will give us a that the northern end of the site may have better insight into the use of this landscape been used more intensively during the 13th in the past. century than the area adjacent to St John’s church, which lay to the southeast of the None of this would be possible without excavation area. It is possible that the higher the full team of people involved with all the frequency of features, and their larger scale, work here at Hungate and those supporting is linked with the activities of the Carmelite from other parts of YAT. A big thank you Friary which was developing on the opposite must go to them as they are the ones who side of Hungate at this time. We will be able make these fantastic discoveries. Toby Kendall

nybody who has walked past the site during the summer months will have noticed that A it is swarming with people in Hi-Vis vests. This is nothing to do with lots of new staff, but all to do with Archaeology Live! 2010. This is now the 10th year that we have been training people in archaeological skills under the banner of Archaeology Live and it has been the busiest year yet. From the first season at St Leonard’s in 2001 we have tried to create a friendly, fun, and archaeologically intensive learning experience. The high percentage of returning trainees shows that we must be doing something right; some have even returned every year! So another thank you to everybody involved over the past decade. yorkshire archaeology today 12 New projectsfor York Minster modification may elucidate their primary primary position andanylaterre-use. their elucidate may modification subsequent and construction original their of detail the Confirming date. century 15th alleged their supports technology carpentry the not or whether determine to Stoneyard, of set another historic doors, currently stored in the examine Minster to is Allen Steve Technologist Wood YAT Minster, York at doors Vestibule House Chapter and House MINSTER MISCELLANY Following on the from Chapter a study of onr o hs ojcs wih oid the copied which objects, these of country York in Minsterfrom1966–1973. patens out carried and excavations from chalices recovered pewter medieval of enable us to study a very important collection Y om fsilver chalices and patens used in of forms hs s h lret olcin n the in collection largest the is This the Friends of York Minster which will which YorkMinster of Friends the by funding given been recently has AT h eerto fthe Mass, but which the celebration of were buried in the graves of priests of graves the in buried were in the13th–16thcenturies. and manufacture. netgtn ter composition their investigating ae idvdas a wl as well as individuals, named certain identify will research hlcs n ptn as of patens burials the from coming and chalices e r hpn ta our that hoping are We Prudential House,BlossomStreet,gotunderwayinJuly2009. of conversion hotel the YATwhen summer last hunting-ground old an to returned uig h bidn o h Oen Cinema Odeon the of Tadcaster building the to during road Roman ( the of more finding of possibility strong the was concern the particular city.route south-west out of Of main the on Bar Micklegate outside just lies it as years, many for interest archaeological around Blossom Street. The area has attracted the of some work previous during made discoveries many refine and together draw to fell anddrainedstraightintothetrench. rain the while cabin the to retreat and across tarpaulins the drag to interrupted frequently was that project interesting otherwise an to feel sub-marine slightly a created wet summer, customary now the and trench the of perimeter the slope, formed that shoring this steel the of combination The car-park. a sloping a to of tarmac the trench below 3m 4m of depth x 9m a digging involved Street’, Blossom 28–40 Tanks, Attenuation ‘Sewage titled glamorously excavation, Our . neo an rpre sen it seeing reported Raine Angelo Calcaria). Despite the weather, this project was able was project this weather, the Despite STREET BLOSSOM BACK TO evidence for the road was expected to emerge. good nevertheless but line, this of south-east new The the to road-line. just tantalisingly positioned was trench the of current the interpretation informed have sightings Row,these far Wellington and as Dringhouses as made apart observations with site. Together current the of north-east immediately excavations extensive his during 1953–55 in it located Wenhamalso LP and 1930s, the in is close to the Railway Station cemetery,and Station Railway the to close is area The mausoleum. a of remains cemetery the and small a found YAT and pub, ‘Lion Lamb’ former cemetery. the at a road, from the Across come have to seemed which of much deposits, make-up ground massive in pottery between of amounts had huge found site, St.], current the and Blossom work Wenham’s [16-20 Garage supported had findings.these YAT’s excavation at Forsellius work Subsequent burials. encountered Roman buildings and cremation ee Wna’ ecvtos a also had excavations Wenham’s Peter

yorkshire archaeology today 13

yorkshire archaeology today 14

H E T

vdnefrteoii f‘Blossom Street’ in the evidence for the origin of as survive mainly that plough-soils were medieval thick these fortunately first; through got be to had which deposits later Roman entire presence in Yorkshire. the This underlay 1.5m of spanning phases main four into fell which archaeology, Roman of potential! such good team aware of field young a of little enthusiasm the do dampen to could summer British a of worst found very the that were then, wonder, Small recently. bodies decapitated Roman remarkable the where Mount, The at ground rising the of slopes lower the occupies also C R

E

S Wenham excavations

C

The The excavation revealed up to 1.5m depth E

N T ROAD 9 ROAD 10

47 building excavation cremation 28 to 40 43 2009

main routeintothefortress. ofthe frequently, development fairly the reflecting perhaps re-organised been had landscape the that showed AD century 2nd Later ditches and a city.small the road of dated life to early the the understand early to help eventually may nearby,and elsewhere found of beginnings very the from and soils ditches agricultural of consisted and century, 1st leaving the earlier material to be dug by hand. project, the of first week the machineduring by removed were soils These Ploughmen). the 13th century ‘Ploxwaingate’the (Street of 39 Blossom St 35–41

26 . Similar early features havefeatures been early Similar Eboracum. h eris pae a dtd o h late the to dated was phase earliest The 35 22 Forsellius Garage coffin

Line ofRomanroad previous YAT excavations 1953–4 excavations (L. P. Wenham) YAT excavation 2009 20 27

23 16

‘Lion andLamb’ 21 cemetery Convent Bar the ‘Lion and Lamb’ site was of similar date, similar of was site Lamb’ and ‘Lion the at nearby found mausoleum and cemetery Roman the as interesting particularly is and refuse, of re-dumping) (or dumping the than This may reflect ritual funerary activity, rather scorching. of evidence showed and breaks, worn than rather fresh with complete, nearly very was it was within pottery the trench, of Much different. the of corner southern place nearby. theory that industrial activity must have taken the reinforcing Garage, Forsellius at trench current the of north-east immediately found was date this of evidence metal Similar working. including activity, industrial nearby reflect may that pits of group a and charcoal of spreads for platform level fairly a formed deposits abraded, These elsewhere. from re-deposited and been up had rubbish the that showing broken possibly been had that to up 0.5m and bypottery contained large amounts of level ground the raised deposits handle. spoon bone a and bangle glass These rare a found were which amongst rubbish, by altered extensively domestic and soil of amounts large dumping was area the 3rd, n lre etnua pt fud n the in found pit, rectangular large One early the to century 2nd mid the From a i te sequence the with point, this after the in gap small building. a at hinted have also may trench the of corner one in surfaces cobbled and patchy post-holes of group A phase. this in apparent material explain funerary disturbed in increase the may which century, 3rd during the mid-late beneath rubbish was destroyed and its cemetery buried mausoleum Lamb’ and ‘Lion 3rd early YorkInterestingly,Malton. and 2nd/ late the Crambeck,at kilns betweenthe in made pots head- of fragments including burials, associated with usually types of was it of much pottery,that exceptre-deposited abraded, of ground-raising and full deposits. were deposits onceagain These levelling century 3rd mid-late of mainly consisted which activity, Roman of phase next the in heavily featured thought. further to the north-west than was previously extended complex this showingthat possibly There was a large large a was There cemetery nearby a of presence The waste material spreads ofindustrial Bottom: Phase2 head pot Below: Fragment of

yorkshire archaeology today 15 yorkshire archaeology today 16 Scale for both2:1 spoonhandle.White glassbangleand(right)bone remain speculative fornow. must interpretation further frustratingly, but it, to related was building our that be may it and date, this by re-established become had had cemetery Lamb’ and ‘Lion The precise form. post-holes the building’sor the purpose explain to survived than other nothing Unfortunately, here. identified structure the than earlier were they but Forsellius’ Garage, byboth found Peter Wenham byand YAT at was this buildings Roman for Evidence surface. of south-west building was its fairly well-made cobbled yard Immediately road. south-west rectangular aligned a in configuration timbers support structural to large clay and cobbles with packed post-holes square large four of group a by building.space for a large was This identified open creating and activity, century 4th early 3rd/ late for evidence any removing place, taken had clearance that appeared pottery.It producing next mid-late deposits 4th century east, aall o h ainet f te main the of alignment the to parallel

–

north- Blossom Street, demolished in 1964 to make to 1964 in demolished Street, Blossom surface. 40 car-park and 38 as identified were buildings These the below immediately found were which Street, Blossom on built buildings the of 18th and 19th century houses privy and walls back the were soils medieval post- and medieval thick 1.4m the into Cut it. through fallen has light little but city, the the immediate conquest post-Norman life of on window tiny a opened has site this that be maycentury. It 12th the from accumulate thick, ploughsoils homogenous that to began of phases following the to contrast marked activity such as rubbish pits and drainage channels, in ‘back-land’ agricultural, suggested archaeology The thoroughfare. major a as demonstrating the continual this relevance of 11th-century perhaps line, road perpendicular Roman suggested the ran to containing ditches These pottery. ditches and clearance wholesale a of of consisted phase activity next the for Normans, the with h bae o ti apas o lie to appears this for blame The hairpins fromthesite bone Samian wareandRoman our trench was just south-east of the road- the of south-east just was trench our Although Wenham. Peter by recorded road the of scale or sequence, solidity the with nothing but the throughout surfaces identified possible were and cobbles of Spreads encounter. to certain seemed had we which road, this for evidence any was trench our from absent glaringly However, colonia. the into century, 3rd the from and, fortress the place in close proximity to the taking main road into activity funerary and industrial with interspersed were which levelling-off, and dumping rubbish of campaigns with period was extensively raised throughout the Roman area the that seems It sequences. isolated of as a developing landscape rather than as a set the together it understand and area this in work drawprevious to evidence hasseemingly provided excavation our that find to converted intoahotel. way for the office building that has now been It is gratifying, after a long wet summer, wet long a after gratifying, is It do. we when better is weather the hope I done. eventually is this ensure help may for back go to important something having Street but area, Blossom the understand to us help day one may site current The thing. good a it is this maybe and as for,answers suggested has archaeological questions many as typical posing of pattern the followed has line issimplyincorrect. road suggested current however,the be, that may It has). A1036, the successor, its modern indeed (as line original its from moved or periods, later in robbing by reduced been with Roman cities and fortresses. It may have associated generally structures monumental the grand, the necessarily that not were roads including main suggested, been have theories Several it. for evidence direct any identify securely to not surprise a was it line ehp ieial,tercn excavation recent the inevitably, Perhaps Ian Milsted

yorkshire archaeology today 17 yorkshire archaeology today 18 at KirkbyOverblow Before theNormans HARROGATE Overblow Kirkby Knaresborough Wetherby

eet idwi h xenlfc fthenave wall. north faceof beneath awindow intheexternal set is doorway’‘Saxon supposed A 1872. in renovationoccurred further in1803; chancel the and fire, major a after 1780-81 in reconstructed wasnave The date. in post-medieval mainly provost and four chaplains; a north transept 14th-century survives, but otherwise the fabric is bya wasserved and 1364, churchbefore the collegiate that became evidence documentary is church.There Saints All stands village the of heart smelting.the iron At to relate to thought is and Oreblowere, as 1211 in recorded first is name present its of element ‘Overblow’ The a south-facinggritstoneridgeoverlookingWharfedale. calledsimply itis Cherchebi, ‘the village with the church’, lies four where miles south-east of Harrogate on Book, in Domesday mentioned first Overblow, Kirkby structures associated with floorthe structures and earth left were graves the and it and exposed, partially and several floor grave cuts. Only one skeleton earth was an were found features earliest The 40cms. of depth a to down deposits all out of digging the by followed flags, stone of lifting the and 19th-century flooring timber and pews of removal the This heating. necessitated sub-floor of while installation the nave the allow to undertaken were works preparatory inside maintained was A1 (M) A1 n eray 00 wthn bif brief watching a 2010 February In A1 N eiec ws on o any of found was evidence No situ. in Church Overblow Kirkby View of the naveworks during heating installation h ohr ube s ht n sd, h only the side, one that is rubble other the all from piece this distinguishes What sandstone thick. pinkish-red cms 5-10 x 20cms x 15 some only measuring of piece shaped irregularly an was floor modern the below its subsequentrenovation were recorded. and nave the of rebuilding 18th-century late the to relate which elements structural and features nave;various earlier an to belonging Most importantly, amongst the rubble rubble the amongst importantly, Most this work Pearce Bottomley for Architects facilitating the church, and to of Calvert Stephen about information for Noble Bruce Dr to stone, pre-Norman the on comments written in1086,was alreadyover ahundredyearsold. church the which, for by the time that Domesday evidence Book’s reference to Cherchebi archaeological was of piece well-dated oldest the is Overblow. This Kirkby at church and ground burial century 10th- a was there that suggests strongly that evidence identified has rather than being brought in from elsewhere. Thus the watching brief theKirkby Overblow fragment. of date andform the both of suggestion a provides and century; 10th the to grounds stylistic on dated been has This fragment. shaft cross a the of faces four of one on decoration of form this of example but complete similar more broadly a has which north-east, the to miles few a just Spofforth, church Saints All at stone another is there Fortunately, like. looked have may decoration the what conjecture to difficult be would it own, its of on that, piece marker the is small However, grave so sort. some or Anglo- memorial or a Anglian from of carving piece stone a Scandinavian is this naturally that this suggestion and the loops; to interlacing leads of form the takes ornament The carving. relief with decorated is face, original its retain to one Right: Drawing ofcrossshaft fragmentfrom All Saints ChurchSpofforth Above: The KirkbyOverblow fragment. stone Thanks to Professor Richard Bailey and Dr Elizabeth Coatsworth for their for Coatsworth Elizabeth Dr and Bailey Richard Professor to Thanks It is likely that this unusual fragment originated at Kirkby Overblow Ian MilstedandRichardHall

yorkshire archaeology today 19 yorkshire archaeology today 20 Sheffield, 2009 their newofficesin at staff ArcHeritage ArcHERITAGE: YAT inSOUTH YORKSHIRE We have secured a wide range of projects, from since! ever busy very havebeen we and 2009 over theyears. had archaeology which built ARCUSup staff historical and industrial in expertise the of region, the across enhance the Trust’s client base, and make use widely more heritage services and archaeological offer to YAT enable would ArcHeritage, name the under Sheffield, in office regional new a create to employees ARCUS former the of some in bringing closed. that was YAT saw Sheffield, of University the within based consultancy archaeologicalARCUS, the 2009 October In fully upandrunning,itisagoodtimetoexplainouroriginsinlittlemoredetail. are we Now Sheffield. in YAT (ArcHeritage) new office a of mention brief a was In the last issue of ArcHeritage ArcHeritage was established in November Yorkshire Archaeology Today, readers may have noticed there should generate somerealpublicbenefits.should generate and groups, community local and engineers Chapel structural ecologists,architects, conservation Padley and with working us involve which (Derbyshire) (Sheffield) Wheel Shepherd the at projects two multi-disciplinary involved has work project interesting most our of Some projects.research funded English-Heritage to recording evaluations building and field assessments, desk-based Shepherd Wheel, Sheffield this gave us a complete 3-dimensional survey enhance the survey and to photographic record; exterior, and interior the of scan laser a completed also Marcus addition, building.In the through power of transmission the for pulleys and troughs stones, grinding original the all contain which buildings, two the of measured survey the of very complex interiors undertook also office ArcHeritage the from Knotova Katerina and Abbott walls.Marcus exterior and interior the produce of to drawings scaled us allow to rectify then could we which camera calibrated specially a with photographs of set full a take and fabric the Michael describe Yorkto from down and came Andrews Johnston Mark buildings themselves. the of recording archaeological theretainingwall. faceof internal the recorded we empty was dam the While Brook. Porter the from filled the be could rebuilt dam been had gates sluice the once and re-lined, and de-silted drained, was dam The complete.now is wheel) water the feeds which water of body or pond the for term Sheffield a is (‘dam’ dam the of restoration The report. to well more is now there and underway is workshop water- grinding 18th-century powered this at Work TodayNo.18. Archaeology Yorkshire in reported h nx sae a t udrae the undertake to was stage next The were project this of stages early very The riaig oe pcait investigations. specialist some ordinating thesite, includingthemachinery. of sections cross and drawings detail very make to us allow will and structure, whole the of e ee lo epnil fr co- for responsible also were We building. A specialist conservator from Hirst from building. conservator specialist A are others replaced, probably original and may help us to date the the been have of some timbers Although for timbers dating. roof tree-ring the of potential the on us advised Tyers Ian Dendrochronologist Wheel structure scan oftheShepherds Results ofa3-Dlaser Society Photo: SheffieldIndustrialHistory Shepherd’s Wheel grinding wheelsat Water-powered

yorkshire archaeology today 21 yorkshire archaeology today 22 to bring the site into full working order. Weorder. working full into site the bring to belts drive leather new of manufacture the the repair of water wheel and grindstones and works,will This include structural repainting, works. refurbishment of range a will undertake months few next the over and site on of years operation inthe1930s. last the during it remember who people of memories the record to interviews history oral undertaking as well as site, the for materials and activities interpretation suite of a create to is task Our Maltby. Sarah by managed being works, interpretation of the refurbishmentworks. for finishes paint suitable choose to council the help also will and origins) medievalhave fact in may (which building the help phase to will us This paints. wall and mortar the and gave advice on the sampling suitability of site, the inspect to came also Conservation h cnevto cnrcos r now are contractors conservation The We are now about to embark upon a phase Wentworth Woodhouse interpretation area willalsobebuilt. an and facilities New basis. regular a on groups schools and public the to open be will site the complete are works refurbishment the Once works. the during exposed are they as features new any record ’ on the site,will maintain to a ‘watching brief asnWnwrh aprnl became dissatisfied Thomas with the West Front, which apparently at that owner, the when Watson-Wentworth, 1730s the in the house. The East Front was commissioned of frontage second the fact in was parkland, the through footpath public the from seen be can which façade, east stone-built huge is house appears,however.it than The The complex more England. in house a country of façade longest the have to said is site grand the This Yorkshire. South of Wentworth in Woodhouse at house country works magnificent recording archaeological ArcHeritage are undertaking undertaking are ArcHeritage Dinnington Cross planters. 18thcentury huge of fragments and features revealed garden for has evidence grounds the in house. work and Recent grounds new the through of services installation the during recording archaeological undertaking been have staff ArcHeritage refurbishment. of programme extensive an undergoing is and ownership decline period the of house is now under new now Sheffield Hallam University. Following a college became the the part of Sheffield City Polytechnic, 1974 for After accommodation families. providehomeless to order in house the requisition to Health of Ministry the by attempt an followed This Education. Physical of College Mabel Lady The house the family by West Riding County Council, to from leased was it 1974 and 1949 Between brick, withdecorative stonework. built mainly of is Front West The site. the earlier on even house an to alteration major a been had village, the and gardens the faces which time was not quite complete. The West Front, more information tovisitors.more information provide to ArcHeritage, by produced being also is panel interpretation An easily. more St to near special Leonard’s Square, Church, where it can a be seen much Falconer to at moved platform and lifted carefully tofunditsrelocation. agreed and inappropriate was site the that decided Council Borough Metropolitan decades. few Rotherham last the in it around up built been has housing and century, 19th the in point some at moved been have to thought other suggest locations for it. However, it was sources local some Leonard’sbut St Church, to close positioned been originally have may some limestone debate; cross it is a matter of high two-metre the of location original The a side privateof driveway for the last 30 years. the at residing been have cross stone the of a the medievalre-siting of cross. The remains during Yorkshire, South Dinnington, Street, The house has had an interesting history.interesting an had has house The h cos a rcre bfr being before recorded was cross The New at undertaken was brief watching A Student Placement Dinnington Cross, priortoits re-siting some time digging at Hungate, which atHungate, shethoroughlyenjoyed! some timedigging spent also She Bar. Micklegate for translation Czech some including projects, of number a with us helped Katerina degree 2010. Masters September in her upon embark to due is and buildings, historic in specialising Prague, in student architecture an is Katerina scheme. Knotova joined us for a 13-week placement on the Leonardo da Vinci We have hosted our first work placement this year. Katerina year. this placement work first our hosted have We

yorkshire archaeology today 23 yorkshire archaeology today 24 n frel Caclo o ok nvriy wo tedd York attended who theschools featuredinthebook. forGirls, University,College oneof York of Chancellor formerly and singer opera acclaimed highly Baker, fascinating Janet Dame byForeword and read. informative an book this make schools, secondary historical Considerable voices. York’s female all of research and rich illustrations, of with a glossary together and male of with combination education, a secondary in existed which variety and breadth represent the to studied are schools Fifteen comprehensives. to York in to mark secondary schoolsthe the 25th reorganisation of anniversary of 2010 October in published be will publication YAT’shistory oral latest by Van Wilson Secondary Educationin York 1900–1985 The Best Years ofOurLives? NEW PUBLICATION 1950 (Millthorpe School); Cricket Team,18881950 (Millthorpe Holgate’s (Archbishop School) Room, Art Nunthorpe Archives); (YorkCity 1950s time, break at milk School ISBN 978-1874454496 227 pages, 170black andwhitephotographs York ArchaeologicalSeries:4 Trust OralHistory York1900-1985’ byVan Wilson (2010) in Education Secondary Lives? Our of Years Best ‘The Also available fromJORVIK shopandlocalbookshops. Tel: 01904663006Email: [email protected] Trust, 47Aldwark, York YO1 7BX Archaeological York Kyriacou, Christine from Available andpacking).All £9.99(£11.99includingpostage ISBN 9781874454403158 158 pages, 60black andwhitephotographs York ArchaeologicalSeries:1 Trust OralHistory by Van Wilson(2007) 1900-1938’Hungate in Life Money: but in All ‘Rich ISBN9781874454427 232 pages, 134black andwhitephotographs York ArchaeologicalSeries:2 Trust OralHistory World War’ byVan Wilson(2008) YorkSecond Romance: the and in Raids ‘Rations, ISBN 9781874454441 304 pages, 167black andwhitephotographs York ArchaeologicalSeries:3 Trust OralHistory ‘Stonegate Voices’ byVan Wilson(2009) ALSO AVAILABLE AUTUMN EVENTS at DIG, BARLEY JOIN THE HALL & THE MANSION HOUSE FRIENDS OF Friday 8th October YORK Blood, Gore and More: life as a 17th- ARCHAEOLOGICAL century surgeon with Marty Young and Russell Marwood TRUST 7.30 pm, Barley Hall. £5 per ticket, £4 conc. Thursday October 21st FRIENDS OF YORK ARCHAEOLOGICAL TRUST receive: Broadside: A look at naval firepower YORKSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGY TODAY and YAT Annual Report through the ages with Ian Panter Free, unlimited entry to YAT attractions 7.15 for 7.30 pm start. The Mansion House, St Helen’s Square. £5 10% discount in the DIG shop and on the training dig per ticket. £4 conc. 30% discount on all the Trust’s academic publications when 23rd – 31st October purchased direct (one of each publication per person) Ghoul School A programme of visits, day schools, lectures, site tours and social 10am–4pm, Micklegate Bar, normal admission prices. events. 27th October By joining you will be contributing directly to the work of York Fascinating Funereal Finds Archaeological Trust. The Friends donate every penny of profit directly with Pete Connolly to the Trust to further its important work. 7pm, DIG, £6 adult, £5 conc. / Friends of YAT. Includes light refreshments.

Membership rates 27th, 30th, 31st October Adult £19.00 pa Ghost Tour of York Mansion House 6.30pm, York Mansion House, £5.50 adult, £4.50 conc. Joint Adult (2 adults at same address) £27.00 pa Family (2 adults and all children at same address) £31.00 pa 28th and 31st October Over 60s £17.00 pa Haunted Hall Suitable for families and under 12s. Every twenty minutes from Joint over 60s £23.00 pa 6pm – 8pm: ring for details, Barley Hall, £6 adult, £4 conc. Includes Student in full-time education £17.00 pa hot chocolate. Overseas member (sterling) £30.00 pa 29th October Life membership (single) £200.00 Medieval Mysteries Life membership (couple) £250.00 Suitable for adults and older children. 7pm / 8.30pm, Barley Hall, To join The Friends, send a cheque payable to FOYAT to: £10 adult, £8 conc. Includes mulled wine. The Friends, York Archaeological Trust, 47 Aldwark, York YO1 7BX For more information & to book call 01904 615505 or visit www.jorvikbookings.com

ANNUAL ARCHAEOLOGY and HISTORY FAIR The York Archaeological Trust Annual Archaeology and History Fair takes place on Saturday 9th October this year at the Guildhall in central York.

This year you will be able to hear talks about archaeological projects that have taken place in and around York, carried out by both professionals and community groups.

There is also the opportunity to see stalls from many local community groups as well as buying books from many of the country’s archaeological and historical book sellers.

FREE ADMISSION 10am - 4pm THE GUILDHALL, YORK SATURDAY 9th OCTOBER In this issue...

www.yorkarchaeology.co.uk