Site Event/Activity record ESF24945 - Deposit, 11-15 Great Colman Street, Ipswich, (IAS 1005).

A trial trench evaluation was carried out at the above site in advance of a residential development. A single trench was excavated. Evidence of nearby Middle and Late Saxon activity was found in the form of residually derived Ipswich ware and Thetford-type ware pottery. Sparse Early medieval deposits were recorded but their exposure was too limited for detailed interpretation. A substantial dump deposit of redeposited sands and gravels was interpreted as being associated with the AD 1204 town ditch, but it remains unclear whether it was derived from the initial construction of the ditch and rampart or during later maintenance or levelling. Documentary evidence dating from at least the mid 14th century indicates that grants of land were given abutting the defences that stipulated maintenance of the ditch. Two substantial 'garden soil' deposits of Late medieval and 17th century date concur with the documentary evidence which suggests that the site was then under formal gardens (of a property known for some time as Harbottle House) until well into the 19th century. Great Colman Street itself was laid out in 1821 and later features attest to 19th and 20th century occupation along its frontage. It is suggested that the site could have seen relatively little occupation other than being used as urban gardens or agricultural land from possibly as early as the Middle Saxon period until late in the 19th century. Project status: Complete Yes, Validated Yes Previous/Future Work: Previous No, Future No Associated Identifiers: HER event no. IPS 479 Sitecode IAS 1005 NMR No. 1432328 Project Type: Field evaluation Development Type: Urban residential (e.g. flats, houses, etc.) Methods and Techniques: Targeted Trenches, Documentary Search Position in the Planning Process: After full determination (eg. As a condition) Reason for Investigation: Direction from Local Planning Authority - PPG16 Current Land use: Other 3 - Built over Monument Type(s)/Period(s): TOWN BANK Medieval , LAYER Medieval Artefact Type(s)/Period(s): POTTERY Medieval , POTTERY Early Medieval PROJECT LOCATION Area 900.00 Square metres Grid Reference: TM16574470 Point Height 8.49 - 9.88 metres PROJECT CREATOR(S) Brief originator: Local Authority Archaeologist and/or Planning Authority/advisory body Design originator: K. Wade Director/Manager: John Newman Supervisor: Rhodri Gardner DIGITAL ARCHIVE Recipient: AHDS Contents: Animal Bones, Ceramics, Stratigraphic Media: Database, Images raster / digital photography, Text PAPER ARCHIVE Recipient: Suffolk County SMR Contents: Animal Bones, Ceramics, Stratigraphic Media: Context sheet, Map, Plan, Report, Section, Unpublished Text PHYSICAL ARCHIVE Recipient: Suffolk County SMR Contents: Animal Bones, Ceramics, Metal BIBLIOGRAPHY Publication Type: Grey literature (unpublished document/manuscript) Title: 11-15 Great Colman Street, Ipswich IAS 1005 IPS 479 Author(s)/Editor(s): Gardner, R Other Bibliographic Details: SCCAS Report No. 2005/111 Date: 2005 Issuer/Publisher: SCCAS Place of Issue or Publication: Ipswich Description: A4 ring bound (33 pages)