Artefact Alive
It could now be seen that the hole on one seat was shaped (chamfered) in such a way that suggests it might once have held a circular lid. The hole itself would have been made by incising a circle of the required size on the surface of the plank and then boring small holes through the plank very close together. When the last hole was made the centre could then easily be cut through with a chisel. It could then be smoothed down to minimise the risk of splinters!

 

Both the York examples are 'single holers' but there are medieval examples, including one of slightly earlier date from London, with three holes side by side in a single plank. Such friendly arrangements continued in rural areas of England until quite recent times.

Find number 1979.7, 4293, catalogue number 8949, length 977mm, width 366mm, hole 217 x 229mm; find number 1977.7, 16280, catalogue number 8950, length 1.07m, width 360mm, thickness 28mm, hole diameter c.240mm.
For more information see The Archaeology of York 17/13, Wood and Woodworking in Anglo-Scandinavian and Medieval York by Carole A. Morris.

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