NHER 50586 (Monument record) - Late Saxon defensive ditch, medieval and post-medieval features

1997. Desk-based Assessment.
Impact assessment for proposed development.
See report (S1) for further details.
Previously recorded under NHER 170.
P. Watkins (HES), 13 August 2015.

1998. Desk-based Assessment.
A further desktop study confirms a likely early gateway in the Late Saxon defences, where Botolph Street enters, for traffic from the north-west. The area on the north-east side of Botolph was open for some centuries; the town ditch seems to have survived as a recognisable landmark, although mostly infilled and converted into a lane, to be recorded in the medieval Enrolled Deeds. A small area on Magdalen Street may have lain at the south end of a former market area, overlooked by St Botolph's church, and now completely lost through infilling and the modern loss of Botolph Street.
See report (S2) for further details. The results of this assessment are also summarised in (S3).
Previously recorded under NHER 170.
D. Holburn (HES), 5 December 2011. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 13 August 2015.

March 2007. Desk-based assessment.
The site is located within the Late Saxon town and the medieval city walls, and therefore the potential for archaeological finds and features is significant. The northern gate of the Late Saxon town may have been located within the development area. During the medieval period the nature of the area was predominantly industrial, including iron-working.
See (S4) for further details
H. White (NLA), 2 June 2009.

July 2010. Trial Trenching.
Archaeological evaluation (Trenches 8 and 9).
The excavation revealed part of the Late Saxon defensive ditch, a possible medieval quarry and post-medieval wall footings and boundary walls.
See report (S5) for further details. The results of this work are also summarised in (S6).
S. Howard (HES), 24 February 2011.