The archaeological mitigation comprised the monitoring of the excavation for the piling mat and excavation of service runs. A number of the pile holes were also monitored to establish the nature of the underlying deposits. Where necessary, surfaces were hand cleaned for examination and recording and deposits observed were recorded on standard pro-forma recording sheets. All features were investigated via hand digging and fully recorded. A digital photography record was maintained throughout the project, which is partially reproduced in the report. All work was carried out according to the agreed Written Scheme of Investigation and in accordance with the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) standards and guidance. The excavation of the piling matt did not penetrate to the depth of the probable Medieval ditch fill revealed in the evaluation. It did however reveal a number of features related to the 19th century functioning of the hotel and immediate area. These features were all sealed by a mixed demolition layer from which a quantity of unstratified pottery and glass were recovered. This material was all datable between the 18th and 20th centuries. A cobbled yard surface was identified which largely corresponds to the open area depicted on the Ordnance Survey map of 1884. Interestingly, the cobbled surface incorporated a series of brick sluices which were designed to channel surface water away, presumably into a drainage system. The cobbled surface had been severely truncated by 20th century services and large areas had been truncated entirely. It was laid onto a buff sandy gravel (1019) probably laid as a levelling course which was the earliest deposit observed. Stratified glassware was recovered from this deposit which was datable to the earlier 19th century, probably 1800-1830 suggesting a likely date for the laying of the cobbled surfaces in the early to mid-19th century. The eastern extent of a building that fronted onto the High Street was identified under the former Castle Room which was constructed in the first quarter of the 20th century and demolished immediately prior to the start of the project. This earlier building had internal cobbled floors and an external drain fed into a drainage system made from ceramic pipes typical of the early to mid-19th century and thus likely constructed when the cobbled surfaces were laid out. The western edge of a building shown on the 1884 map was identified in the south-east corner of the site. This building was demolished sometime between 1901 and 1926. No archaeological features predating the 19th century were observed during the project due to the relatively shallow depth of the groundworks. However, a single fragment of unstratified Medieval shelly ware was recovered indicating the potential for Medieval features within the vicinity.
James Roberts (Mon,) studied this question.