Remains of 17th/18th century house, 143-147 High Street (EHER 82060)

Trial trenching and archaeological excavation recorded the clay floor and rear wall line of a 17th/18th century house. The position of the structure was defined by the extent of the clay floor, which extended beyond the excavated area suggesting the building extended across three plots (now 143-145-147 High Street). Also recorded was a later brick floor which was thought to have replaced the clay floor, and four internal features.

July-August 2008. Trial trenching and archaeological excavation. A 17th/18th century structure was recorded which had been built on top of a soil layer dumped over the remains of earlier buildings (see EHER 47219). The rear wall line of this structure had evidently been removed by a modern wall which extended along the same line. Despite the absence of other walls, the position of this structure appears to be defined by the extent of a clay floor. No other evidence for walls could be found. This means that they may lie off-site, in which case a single building must have spanned all three plots (now 143-145-147 High Street). Lying along the north side of the postulated rear wall of this building, a brick drain belongs to this period. A small patch of peg-tiles, very slightly off the line of the rear wall, may have been part of the structure of the rear wall or perhaps a doorway or porch. The clay floor was cut by two small slots, one of which held in situ peg-tiles. These slots, which were probably created by the weight of the overlying timberwork compressing the clay floor, may mark the position of internal divisions or perhaps repairs. At a later, but still post-medieval date, the clay floor was replaced by a brick floor. There were four features inside the house for which no obvious function can be suggested. One of these contained a Rose farthing of Charles I (dated 1635/6-1644). It is possible that the internal features are contemporary with the brick floor. <1> <2>