Monument record LWT 351 - OUTLINE RECORD: Medieval activity, White Horse Street (NPS) EXCAV

Archaeological evaluation recorded a spread of midden or refuse deposits of transitional late-medieval and post-medieval date, overlying an earlier pit of 11th-14th century date. The subsequent excavation and watching brief revealed evidence for medieval activity in the form of post-hole clusters likely to represent dwellings and ancillary buildings. Structural remains included wells, and a number of pits were excavated. The dateable contexts for much of the site lie between the 13th-14th and 16th-18th centuries. Of the 235 sherds of pottery recovered, c 40% was imported wares dominated by late 15th and 17th century fabrics, which may be a reflection of the function and status of the site and activities of manufacturing, storage and food processing in the port town. Excavation retrieved a range of imported pottery, which has high potential as evidence for trade. Environmental remains indicate that most plants consumed on the site would have been imported to it, and also identified a frequent presence of spheroidal hammerscale in samples, indicative of metalworking activity on the site. The site lies adjacent to earlier excavations on Compass Street (LWT 183).
Included in the Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History annual round up of individual finds and discoveries for 2016 (S1)