NHER 68663 (Monument record) - Post-medieval and undated remains

May 2023. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of proposed development site within former walled garden.
The limited number of features uncovered by this work included a recut ditch and a number of possible pits, all of which were exposed within a single trench in the south-east part of the site. The ditches were aligned roughly north-to-south and contained fragments of post-medieval brick and tile, oyster shells and pieces of animal bone.
The pits produced no dating evidence. One of these features contained a notable quantity of oyster shells and a sample from its fill contained an abundance of both terrestrial molluscs and marine shell. It is possible that this feature at least was associated with horticultural activity on the site, with the shell potentially deliberately deposited to act as a liming agent.
The only other feature of note was the remains of a paved path that can be seen on maps of the former walled garden.
Unstratified finds included a small assemblage of late post-medieval/modern pottery sherds (all from plant pots) and several additional fragments of post-medieval brick and tile
See report (S1) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 16 October 2024.