NHER 68149 (Monument record) - Medieval or later wall

February-July 2014. Watching Brief.
Monitoring of demolition of Victorian extension at eastern end of The Hermitage (54 Bishopgate; NHER 26025) and groundworks associated with construction of replacement structure.
The removal of the existing extension revealed a short section of flint and mortar wall or wall foundation extending southwards from the boundary wall of the cathedral precinct. This had probably been truncated during the construction of the Victorian building.
Subsequent piling operations suggested that natural sands and gravels lay at a depth of approximately 3-4m below present ground level and were overlain by various grey silt and sand layers thought to represent former marsh and flood deposits. More soil-like deposits were encountered in the upper parts of the pile holes, which were flecked with fragments of ceramic building material. At least some of this material probably represented deliberately lain make-up deposits.
Trenches excavated for the footings of the replacement extension and a new drain revealed little of archaeological interest as they did not penetrate beneath the modern garden soil. A red brick structure noted was almost certainly of relatively recent date.
At the western edge of the site the removal of a large concrete beam exposed part of the foundations for The Hermitage. These consisted of medium-sized flints set in lime mortar, with some larger stone blocks above.
No finds were recovered during this work.
See report (S1) for further details. See also photographic archive (S2).
P. Watkins (HES), 7 March 2024.