Site Event/Activity record ESF20063 - Excavation - Athenaeum Toilet Block

A programme of archaeological work was carried out ahead of and during the redevelopment of the toilet block within the Athenaeum. The project included excavation, monitoring and building recording. The work started with the excavation of the open courtyard and the former toilet block down to the formation level required for development. The western area of the excavation site and central parts of the fomer courtyard area were heavily truncated and disturbed by pipes and structures associated with the old toilets. The excavation focused on the undisturbed areas, though the depth was limited to that of the development formation level which mean most deposits were exposed in plan and remained unexcavated. Photographic recording of the exposed timber-framed building and the associated cellar was also undertaken. During the construction phase of the redevelopment, two areas of footing trenches were monitored to the south of the timber-framed building (S1).