Possible site of medieval to post-medieval backfill from town ditches at 39 Castle Street (EHER 18543)

A watching brief on an extension to the rear of 39 Castle Street in 1998 found a quantity of backfilled material would seem to be too great to relate to the construction of the cellared buildings on the Castle Street frontage. This may be related to the town defensive ditch but it is impossible to confirm.

1998. Watching brief. A watching brief on an extension to the rear of 39 Castle Street, making access in the cellar and re-aligning the drainage system. A depth of about 2.5m of top-soil and sub-soil had been removed down to the depth of the bottom of the cellar and for a distance of 5m into the garden. All of this material was fill, the only evidence of natural consisted of chalk approximately 5m from the house. No dating evidence was visible although the quantity of backfilled material would seem to be too great to relate to the construction of the cellared buildings on the Castle Street frontage. This may be related to the town defensive ditch but it is impossible to confirm. <1>