From Medieval Foundations to Roman Occupation Layers…
Layer by layer the York Archaeology team dug their way down through the many deposits of Micklegate to analyse its extraordinary past.
105-111 Micklegate has seen many faces and changes throughout the years, so where better to unearth the site’s historic past than at the heart of the archaeological site? Join us as we guide you through the team’s findings within the Central Excavation Area.
- Medieval dumping deposit.
- Roman occupation layers – contained lots of pottery & bone.
- Roman post / pipe / stake has been pulled out. If you look closely you can see where the laminated occupation deposit has pieces of Samian pottery in it.
- Heat affected clay. The result of burning or industrial action. Roman period.
- Roman ashy laminated deposits created by using a raking out a flue. This deposit also contains very frequent charcoal pieces, which indicates that this area could have once contained a fire that was raked to clear build up. Can you see the streaks in the soil?
- Roman cobble & amphora surface / external yard surface.
- Roman clay level.
- Roman cobble clay foundation.
9. Dump of ashy material possibly indicating nearby craft industry. Roman in date.
10. Roman construction cuts for clay & cobble foundation.
11. Roman occupation layer & floors.
12. Geological deposit; glacial moraine made up of gravel & sand.
Written by: George Loffman, Project Officer
