Monument record 10664 - Medieval Cobbled Surface, 76 - 88 Northgate Street

In 1971, the north end of the terrace of shops and flats on the east side of Northgate St, just to the south of Little Abbey Gateway, was demolished, offering an opportunity to investigate this area archaeologically (1). In the west part of the site was a worn medieval sandstone cobbled surface (this monument).

Also found were postholes within a gully (CHER 10665), and a substantial cess pit (CHER 10666). The cobbling was of one period, except that at the north end of the excavation area, an additional (repair?) surface had been added. Small fragments of medieval pottery had been trampled into the surfaces, and included jug and cooking pot forms, in addition to floor tiles and a curved iron blade. The excavators concluded that the surface probably represents a broadening of Northgate St. and the associated features (e.g. CHER 10665) might be of booths associated with markets held outside the Abbey Gate (1, 2, 3).

<1> multiple authors, 1977, Excavation Reports and Sites Observed, 5/29-33 Ward T E 1977 (Article in Journal). SCH5800.

<2> multiple authors, 1973, Excavation Reports and Summaries, 1/20 Ward T E 1973 (Article in Journal). SCH5782.

<3> Thomas Ward, 1975, Excavations at 76 - 88 Northgate Street (DRAFT) (Unpublished Report). SCH6713.