St Andrews, 136, 138 North Street

NO 50770 16800 An evaluation was undertaken, 7–8 April 2014, in advance of development work in a garden at 138 North Street. The hand excavation of a single trench revealed deposits in accord to those recorded in other nearby archaeological interventions. The soil profile, which is c1.7m deep, appears to have undergone significant modification over time with the addition of imported soils. A limited amount of pottery was recovered, consisting of two Scottish post-medieval reduced ware ‘strap handle’ sherds, six Scottish white gritty ware sherds and one sherd of stoneware.

These finds suggest a possible 13th-century onwards date for use of the original soil, with the overlying soil representing the importation of a new topsoil a century or two later. It seems that this area was not intensively used in the later medieval period, and was probably a ‘backland’ area given over to cultivation. At some point in the post-medieval period, the third and uppermost soil layer was deposited across the area; perhaps fulfilling a recurring need to enrich an exhausted soil.

Archive: RCAHMS (intended)

Funder: Mr L Crane

Joh Gooder - ACCESS Archaeological Condition Services

(Source: DES)