An Archaeological Evaluation at the Former Dry Sand Foundry, Holbeck, Leeds

ARCUS was commissioned by Quarmby Construction Company Ltd to undertake an archaeological evaluation within buildings of the former Round Foundry complex on Water Lane in Holbeck, Leeds. The evaluation comprised the excavation of four trenches distributed throughout the building commonly known as the Dry Sand Foundry and the associated building to the south. The four evaluation trenches revealed deposits and structures of archaeological interest within both buildings. Structural remains included several segments of previous wall footing and earlier floor surfaces. Other deposits included made ground layers comprising demolition rubble, plus evidence for forging activity including the remains of a deep casting pit. The evaluation trenches demonstrated that the buildings on this plot have changed over time, and there has been significant modification to ground levels over the last two hundred years.