The final week!

This week saw the completion of what has been a hugely successful training excavation. The weather held out, and the last 20 trainees completed 5- and 10-day modules. All that remains now is to back-fill the site and begin the long process of post-excavation work (which will continue to be recorded on these pages, so keep logging on!).

An exciting children's activity day, led by YAT's irrepressible Head of Education Andrew (Bone) Jones, also took place this week. Twenty-seven children aged from 6 to 14 enjoyed an action-packed day of archaeological activities on site.

Trench 1

The final week of excavation in Trench 1 was typical of much archaeological work in raising as many questions as were answered! In the covered undercroft area a number of post-holes were revealed in the pre-13th century deposits, but whether these related to the construction of the undercroft or to another building is unclear. A layer of broken limestone fragments was also uncovered, with what seem to be occupation layers above, but these layers, which include charcoal deposits, may also represent dumps or levelling material. The construction cut for the undercroft pillar on the eastern side was found, but that for the pillar to the west remains elusive. Clearly more excavation and post-excavation work needs to be carried out!

Outside, to the north of the medieval drain, what seems to be a Roman floor was exposed. Further north, a series of pits, possibly footings for post pads, was uncovered. These had been cut into the Roman bank but later levelled and sliced through by the medieval wall. They may be associated with timber buildings in the pre-stone phase of buildings in the early 13th century.

The medieval drain continues to fascinate, and archaeologist Bryan Antoni managed to crawl along its extent, from Trench 1 to Trench 2. From inside he identified a hole, 8 inches (20 cm) square, which was presumably an inlet for a latrine or sluice. Pictures by YAT photographer Mike Andrews who also ventured down the sewer. See Weeks 4 and 6 for other pictures of the medieval sewer.

Trench 2

Trench 3

An exciting week in Trench 3 saw many interesting finds unearthed in the post-demolition levelling deposits. These included a silver coin, a book-binding hinge (or belt attachment) and a pendant (or hone stone) (see Finds). The infirmary's floor surfaces were also finally uncovered and these comprised a crushed limestone floor and alluvial silts which had also been used to make a floor surface. A mortar surface underneath the limestone floor may be one of the original floors, or a construction spread for the infirmary.

What looks like a bowl furnace, with burnt sand and slag, was also tentatively identified. This may have been in use in pre-infirmary times, or may relate to the manufacture of ironwork for the construction of the infirmary itself.

The remnants of the Roman rampart were exposed, just a few yards from the remnants of the 2nd World War air-raid shelter! This has been a truly extraordinary site, with such juxtapositions.

FINDS

	Left to right: Viking or medieval key; unusual inscribed hone stone or pendant, possibly Viking; silver coin; book-binding hinge or belt attachment; copper alloy mystery object! Any suggestions! Only conservation work will indicate its function.(Click here for bigger image)
	Roman flagon neck.
	Roman samian ware, possibly part of a bowl.
	Medieval peg tile with dog paw print.
	Humber ware jug handle, 15th century.