Early medieval to medieval activity, 9 London Road (EHER 16858)

A watching brief in 1981 during an extension to 9 London Road recorded medieval disturbance. A further phase of archaeological monitoring was undertaken in advance of the construction of a rear extension in 2016 which recorded a possible metalled yard or street surface.

August 1981. Watching brief. A two metre deep foundation trench for an extension on the side of 9 London Road failed to reach undisturbed natural subsoil. Furthermore, the hole produced a collection of early medieval pottery sherds. Owing to the unusually large size of the disturbance, i.e. greater than 6m by 5m, the nature of the feature could not be identified. There was no evidence to suggest the disturbance was later than medieval. <1> July-August 2016. Watching brief. A further phase of archaeological monitoring was undertaken in advance of the construction of a rear extension. Monitoring revealed patches of compacted dirty gravel, possibly forming a metalled yard or street surface, cut by three later, probably post-medieval, pits. No trace of the burh ditch (EHER 7766) was identified. <2>