Medieval occupation at 20-22 London Road (EHER 47134)

Archaeological evaluation in 2003 recorded a series of medieval midden and levelling deposits, commonly associated with pottery of 12th to 14th century date. A subsequent excavation in 2004 confirmed two phases of medieval occupation: in the 12th century, and in the 13th/14th centuries. The excavation recorded six north-south aligned post holes, probably representing a fence enclosing the area, and an organic layer, perhaps the result of mucking out animals. Both were from the 12th century phase. The 13th/14th century remains comprise of a series of rubbish-filled pits and a 0.3m thick layer of midden deposit.

2003. Trial trenching. In the north of the trench a series of medieval midden and levelling deposits, commonly associated with pottery of 12th to 14th century date was revealed. The great depth of deposits encountered, which could not be excavated in the present evaluation works, may hold evidence for pre-medieval occupation. In the south of the trench a single medieval midden layer sealed a ditch of unknown date. <1> 2004. Archaeological excavation. The excavation recorded two phases of medieval occupation: in the 12th century, and in the 13th/14th centuries. During the 12th century the site was dominated by six post-holes in a north-south alignment and a bright green organic layer. It is unclear what make up of the organic layer is as the samples taken produced inconclusive results but it is possibly the remains of dumping night soil or mucking out animals. The post-hole alignment may be the remains of a fence, which cordoned off this area. Relatively few artefacts were recovered from this phase, which suggests that it perhaps lay at the periphery of the 12th century settlement. The 13th/14th century remains comprise of a series of rubbish-filled pits and a 0.3m thick layer of midden deposit. The artefactual and ecofactual remains recovered suggest that the settlement lay in close proximity with a relatively large amount of kitchen wares, butchered bone and personal items of metal work being present. <2>