Post-medieval track and medieval and post-medieval finds at The Bury (EHER 46876)

An archaeological evaluation in 2008 recorded no evidence for medieval routeways leading across The Bury to either of the priory gateways. The only features recorded were post-medieval ditches and a single post-hole which are thought to relate to temporary structures erected during the use of this space to host fairs (see EHER 19777 for further details).

2008. Trial trenching evaluation. This evaluation was commissioned to seek evidence in support of the historic usage of a blocked gateway leading from The Bury to St Osyth’s Priory. The evaluation revealed well-preserved features including two ditches, a post hole and a series of metalled surfaces on the same alignment as the modern road leading from the gatehouse to Mill Street. A demolition layer recorded in Trenches 1 and 2 (on the northern edge of the site) may have accumulated during repairs or alterations to the priory wall (see also EHER 2824 where similar evidence is noted). The evidence recovered from Trench 4 (to the west of the site) indicates that the modern access road leading from the 15th century gateway to Mill Street was originally an earthen track, before becoming a more established surface. No evidence to indicate medieval usage of the trackway was recorded. The shallow ditches and single post hole were thought to relate to temporary structures associated with the use of this area for hosting fairs (see EHER 19777). Post-medieval pottery sherds were recorded in several of the features, along with redeposited medieval sherds. The evaluation does not provide any evidence to indicate that there was a medieval routeway leading to the earlier gateways. <1> <2>