NHER 26592 (Monument record) - City Wall and earlier ditch, Numbers 167 to 171 Magdalen Street

167-171 Magdalen Street.

November 2001. Trial Trench. Contexts 1-55.
The site lies on the northern edge of the medieval city, immediately east of the former Magdalen Gate, a gatehouse in the medieval City Wall. The line of the City Wall crosses the site.
The evaluation successfully located the City Wall, the remains of which were truncated and disturbed by later, post-medieval, activity at the site. Earlier deposits including the possible remains of a bank and an undated ditch north of the wall were also identified. A demolished cellar and its associated backfilling occupied much of the excavated area.
For report (S1) for further details. The results of this work are also summarised in (S2).
D. Gurney (NLA), 17 January 2001. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 30 March 2015.

January-April 2003. Strip, Map and Sample Excavation. Contexts 100-270.
Traces of a large ditch predating the City Wall were identified, possibly representing an earlier defensive line. The City Wall is constructed upon the backfill of this ditch and maintains the same alignment as the earlier ditch. In addition to the City Wall the foundations of what appears to be a tower were recorded in the eastern part of the site.
As suggested by the earlier evaluation, the site is extensively truncated by 19th-20th century activity.
For report (S3) for further details. The results of this work are also summarised in (S4) and (S5).
J. Allen (NLA), 20 March 2007. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 30 March 2015.

An archive presumed to include material from both phases of work at this site has been deposited with the Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2007.183).
P. Watkins (HES), 26 August 2019.