Anglo-Scandinavian, Medieval and Post-Medieval Urban Occupation at 41–49 Walmgate, York
Principal Author: Neil Macnab

This is the first in YAT's new series of The Archaeology of York on the web. It deals with excavations between August and October 2000 which uncovered a complex sequence of buildings from Anglo-Scandinavian to modern times and much evidence for metalworking and the daily life of residents in Walmgate, the industrial hub of medieval York.

Beyond the Walls of York: The Road to Hull
Principal Author: David Evans

The second web publication deals with excavations on the site of the former D.C. Cook car showrooms in Lawrence Street, York. Roman ditches were identified and excavated and features of the medieval period included a large boundary ditch, a barrel-lined well and an oven. Investigation of plant and invertebrate remains gave a very rare view of rural conditions on the eastern edge of York.

Anglo-Scandinavian and Roman remains at 28–29 High Ousegate, York, UK
Principal Authors: Neil Macnab and Jane McComish

The site at 28–29 High Ousegate, York, was the subject of an archaeological watching brief and excavation in the summer of 2002. The excavation uncovered evidence of deposits of Roman to Anglo-Scandinavian date. The Anglo-Scandinavian deposits were of particular interest and included a number of pits, dumped deposits, wattle fences and a stake- and post-built structure, in addition to an exceptional collection of artefacts, well preserved in the highly organic deposits. These artefacts provide evidence for craft industries on the site including leather working, textile production, antler working and horn working.

A Roman Camp and Prehistoric Site at Monks Cross, York, UK
Principal Author: Mark Johnson

This report details the results of excavations at Monks Cross, Huntington South Moor, on the north-eastern side of the City of York. The excavations uncovered two-thirds of a Roman temporary camp that was discovered by aerial photographers from English Heritage in 2002. The camp proved to date from the early-mid 2nd century, and was deliberately slighted after a short period of use. Although laid out to a high standard of surveying precision, the actual construction of the camp was carried out with considerably less attention to detail.

Hungate: Evidence from an Excavation at the former Henlys Garage, Stonebow
Principal Author: Rhona Finlayson

This web publication covers the main results of an excavation carried out by York Archaeological Trust in 2004 on the site of the former Henlys garage, adjacent to The Stonebow, York. The excavation revealed a significant sequence of structures and occupation on the site dating from the medieval period to the 20th century. Evidence for medieval copper alloy wire working, including chain mail, was recovered from the site. Road surfaces and a sequence of medieval structures were found which may have been associated with the Carmelite friary known to be sited in the area.

Romans Lose Their Heads:
An Unusual Cemetery at The Mount, York
Principal Author: Kurt Hunter-Mann

Excavations at 6 Driffield Terrace, off The Mount, York during 2005-6 revealed part of the Roman cemetery known from previous discoveries in and around The Mount. At least twenty-three inhumation burials and one cremation were found; most if not all were adult males, of whom sixteen had been decapitated. The burials are thought to date to the later 2nd century and the 3rd century, perhaps continuing into the 4th century.

Medieval and post-medieval buildings and industrial structures were found in the four tenements excavated at the rear of 62–68 Petergate. A complex sequence of medieval workshop buildings dating from the 13th–15th centuries was uncovered. In addition to the evidence for metalworking there was evidence from pit fills of leather and horn working, including a number of well-preserved, highly decorated leather knife sheaths.

Roman occupation at the site of the former Starting Gate Public House, 42–50 Tadcaster Road, Dringhouses, York, UK
Principal Author : Jane McComish

The excavations at the site of the former Starting Gate Public House, 42-50 Tadcaster Road, Dringhouses, York took place in the autumn of 2003. The deposits uncovered were largely of Roman date and were of particular interest as they have clarified the alignment of a major Roman road in the area and yielded evidence for the development of an adjacent roadside settlement. The settlement included the foundations of a large building interpreted as a possible mansio. Among the finds recovered were an excellent collection of Roman pottery and, unusually, a whale vertebra that had been reused as a chopping block.

Roman, Anglian and Anglo-Scandinavian activity and a medieval cemetery on land at the junction of Dixon Lane and George Street, York
Principal author: J. McComish

This web publication covers the results of an excavation carried out by York Archaeological Trust in 2005/6 on the site at the junction of Dixon Lane and George Street, York. The excavation revealed a significant sequence of structures and occupation on the site dating from the Roman to medieval periods. The focus of the project was the excavation of the medieval cemetery of St Stephen's church. Over 100 burials were recovered and detailed analysis of these has significantly revealed three burials with possible negroid characteristics. 

Fey Field, Whithorn, Dumfries and Galloway
Excavations by David Pollock and Amanda Clarke

Principal authors J. M. McComish and D. Petts

This web publication covers the results of excavations carried out between 1992-3 and 1995-6 at Fey Field, Whithorn, on behalf of The Whithorn Trust, under the direction of D. Pollock and A. Clarke. The excavations uncovered remains that have enhanced knowledge of the early ecclesiastical site at Whithorn. The excavations  have highlighted how areas within the monastic site could repeatedly change function, from ritual use as burial grounds, to settlement or industrial activity. The site has yielded some important early medieval artefacts, notably imported glass and pottery, and a large collection of metal working waste.