Monument record BSE 127 - St Edmunds Hospital & Nursing Home, (Multi Period)

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Summary

Excavation revealed Mesolithic, Late Neolithic, and Early Saxon activity however occupation intensified in the Middle Saxon period and again in the medieval period.

Location

Grid reference Centred TL 8579 6365 (40m by 30m) Centred on
Map sheet TL86SE
Civil Parish BURY ST EDMUNDS, ST EDMUNDSBURY, SUFFOLK

Map

Type and Period (13)

Full Description

Following evaluation of the site in October 1995 (S1), excavations were carried out in the grounds of St Edmund's Hospital and Nursing Home in advance of construction of an extension during February & March 1996. Excavations provided evidence for activity at the site in the Mesolithic, Late Neolithic, and Early Saxon periods, but occupation only intensified during the Middle Saxon when a boundary ditch was cut across the south of the excavated area. Most of the Middle Saxon features were close to the ditch, and it seems likely that any major occupation in the area would have been concentrated to the S of this ditch. Some Late Saxon pottery was found, and one large rubbish pit could date from the end of this period. However, the suggestion that this area formed the main focus of settlement in the pre- Abbey town of Bedericsworth had not been substantiated.

The site seems to have flourished during the medieval period, although most of the features, which include a possible structure and a grain drier, were probably of Late C12 or C13 date. Later medieval features suggest that the area formed back gardens and allotments for the houses fronting Southgate Street. Their distance from this road was probably the cause of a decline in usage by the C15, although other factors, such as a shift in population away from the centre of town may also be involved. Three Roman coins and possible Roman tile fragments were also found (S2)(S3).

Sources/Archives (5)

  • <M1> Unpublished document: Suffolk Archaeological Service. Parish Files. Parish file: (S1,S2).
  • <S1> Unpublished document: Tester, A.. 1995. Eval report. St Edmund's Hospital, Bury St Edmunds.
  • <M2> Excavation archive: Suffolk County Council Archaeologcial Service. 1996. St Edmunds Hospital & Nursing Home, (Multi Period). Excavation archive:.
  • <S2> Unpublished document: Anderson, S.. 1996. Archaeological Report: St Edmund's Hospital, Bury St Edmunds.
  • <S3> Article in serial: Martin, E.A., Pendleton, C. & Plouviez, J.. 1997. Archaeology in Suffolk 1996. XXXIX (1).

Finds (31)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (3)

Record last edited

Jan 9 2020 1:41PM

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