Monument record BSE 390 - Medieval features, Land of Risbygate Street and Nelson Road, Bury St Edmunds

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Summary

A number of medieval wells and deep pit/ shaft features were identified during the excavation along with a possible building.

Location

Grid reference Centred TL 850 644 (40m by 32m)
Map sheet TL86SE
Civil Parish BURY ST EDMUNDS, ST EDMUNDSBURY, SUFFOLK

Map

Type and Period (3)

Full Description

The most common features in this phase are large deep near-vertical or vertical-sided pits, with shallow concave/flat bases where observed. While some were square or sub-rectangular shaped in plan, the majority were roughly circular, with diameters ranging from 1.5m to 3.5m and depths from 1.0m to in excess of 3.5m. These deep pits/shafts have been encountered in many sites within the town of Bury St Edmunds, and as yet no function has been confirmed for them. A significant number are likely to have been cess pits.
One potential square post-built structure was noted along the southern edge of the site that may date to this period (based on pottery from a single post hole) and a potential beam slot/regular post alignment was encountered towards the western edge of the site although it does not appear to be orientated with respect to either Nelson Road or Risbygate Street.
Several of the more regular shafts are interpreted as being wells with partial mortared flint linings where they are not dug through solid chalk geology. These features were not excavated to the bottom due to physical constraints and it should be noted that the artefacts dating them are from higher backfilling layers after their end of use, so their origins may be significantly earlier (S1).

Sources/Archives (2)

  • --- Unpublished document: Rolfe, J.. 2009. Archaeological Desk Based Assessment, Land adjacent to Risbygate Street and Nelson Road, bury st Edmunds.
  • <S1> Unpublished document: SCCAS. 2014. Post-Excavation Assessment Report, Land off Risbygate Street and Nelson Road , Bury St Edmunds.

Finds (3)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (2)

Record last edited

Dec 1 2022 4:12PM

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