Evaluation of biological remains from boreholes at Palmer Lane, York (YAT/Yorkshire Museum code 1992.3) by (original) (raw)

An evaluation of biological remains from excavations in St Saviourgate, York (site code: 1995.434)

Summary Deposits of late medieval and modern date from two small trenches in St Saviourgate, York, were evaluated for their bioarchaeological potential. A series of pit fills from one trench proved to have good preservation by waterlogging of plant and invertebrate remains; they clearly included much material that was faecal in origin. An occupation layer from a second trench proved to have only modest preservation of biological remains; they were of more limited interpretative value. A small but excellently preserved assemblage of animal bones was recovered, most being from pit fill deposits of Trench 1. The material was particularly notable for its high concentrations of fish remains, with the bones of sheep and chickens indicating the disposal of both commercial butchery waste and kitchen/domestic refuse. Should further development be undertaken at this site, it is essential that an appropriate sampling and recovery strategy be employed and that a comprehensive post-excavation pr...