NHER 39595 (Monument record) - Saxon pits and medieval to post medieval building remnants, White Hart Street

August 2003. Trial Trenching.
Excavation of five trenches within proposed development area. Contexts 1-133.
A small quantity of undiagnostic prehistoric worked flint occurred as residual finds in later deposits, providing evidence of early human activity within the area. Three residual sherds of Roman pottery and a sherd of Middle Saxon pottery were also recovered. The earliest feature on the site was a large, circular Late Saxon pit. Several other smaller pits may also date to this period, and a post hole alignment which contained a sherd of Late Saxon pottery could also be associated. The post hole alignment has been interpreted as a possible property boundary and a small quantity of daub with wattle impressions indicates the presence of structures nearby, possibly situated along the White Hart Street frontage. Other Late Saxon finds were limited to a small quantity of pottery and an iron knife blade.
Several extraction pits in the southeast of the site were dated to the medieval period along with post holes and post pads identified in the northwest. The latter indicate that medieval buildings, possibly outbuildings, were located some way from the street front.
The post medieval period was represented by several small pits as well as the remains of a barn or stable. The latter was located in the extreme south of the site, incorporating the north wall of St Peter's Church (NHER 5907), and was likely part of the White Hart public house (NHER 15638) which was located along the street frontage.
Towards the centre of the site, the substantial footings of a 19th century Maltings, which is depicted on the 1883 Ordnance Survey Town Map (S1), were recorded. A large modern pit containing building rubble may be associated with the demolition of this industrial building.
See reports (S2) and (S3) for further details. The results of this work are also summarised in (S4).
A. Cattermole (NLA), 30 December 2004. Updated by H. Hamilton (NLA), 06 November 2008.