A program of desk-based assessment and field work was undertaken to determine the level of archaeological preservation and potential for the site at King Street carpark. A Ground Penetrating Radar survey had previously been commissioned. Fieldwork commenced with a borehole survey undertaken to enable deposit modelling. The results of the desk-based assessment, GPR survey and borehole data were used to inform the design of a trenching evaluation of the Site with the opening of three trenches. The borehole survey demonstrated the general formation pattern across the Site, with natural river terrace gravels overlying bedrock. The only exception to this was in Borehole 4, where the gravel component was absent, instead a possible alluvial silty clay was present. This could indicate the presence of a large negative feature such as a proposed early medieval defensive ditch. The archaeological trenching demonstrated good survival of earlier deposits across the Site, with residual Roman material in later features signifying strong potential for further stratified activity. Medieval and early post-medieval pitting was seen in all three trenches, indicative of the sort of back-plot activity that is to be expected to the rear of the tenements known to have existed here. Later post-medieval activity indicated the formalisation of these back yards, as they were paved and filled in with further structures. The majority of the block was demolished in the mid-20th century to make way for road widening and car park space.
Pete Lovett (Fri,) studied this question.