Phase 6.2

On top of these deposits a make-shift structure, Building O, was constructed. Initially it consisted of a double screen of stake- and post-holes, perhaps forming a wind-break. To the west were deposits containing metalworking waste. This indicates either that material originating in Building N was being spread out here as levelling dumps or that metalworking was associated with the wind-breaks. The first interpretation is most likely as no metalworking structures or hearths were associated with Building O at this stage. New screens, identified by two lines of stake-holes, were inserted on the north and west sides forming a sub-square stake-built structure, externally measuring c.4.5m x 4m and internally c.3m x 3m.

Pottery dated to the 13th century was found within Building O and the building was utilised for some craft activity. A small pit (2868) filled with charcoal was situated at its centre and several work areas and hearths (including 2698, 2882, 2889 and 2893) were also located within the building. It must have been a cramped working environment, even if roofless and partially open to the west. The exact function of this building is unknown, but it may be connected with metalworking as a late post-hole backfill contained an iron hinge pivot, an iron nail and slag.

It is possible that Building N continued well into this phase (see Phase 6.1 for its construction). The wall on the street frontage was only robbed in the late 13th or early 14th century. The wall was then partially renewed at this date with a small section of sill-beam footing (4063). At least four rebuilds of the back wall of Building N were recorded on site, and it is possible that the building continued to be used, in a shortened form, adjacent to Building O. It is difficult, however, to see how Buildings N and O related to one another. It is possible that either Building N was demolished at the same time as Building M and robbed at a much later date, or that the building was shortened and then left to decay, rather than being cleared.

A property boundary was laid out on the eastern side of the site consisting of a large number of post- and stake-holes. The new boundary was orientated north-east to south-west and was traced for some 8m. Many pits were dug close to it, mostly containing household waste with occasional artefacts relating to metalworking. These suggest that copper, lead and iron were worked in the vicinity.

Phase 6.3

A revetment or gully ran north-east from the sunken work area to a clay-lined feature (2610) in the north-east corner of the site. Both the gully and the clay-lined feature were backfilled with industrial-type residues (including 2102, 2325, 2490 and 2503) containing some evidence for ironworking, but their functions remained elusive.

A sequence of cobbled surfaces (including 1895 and 1953) were laid out to the west of the sunken work area and a series of large dumps accumulated to the south of it within the backyard. These contained a large quantity of curved and flanged tiles, which may indicate the demolition of a late 12th century building in the vicinity. A barbed arrowhead (SF01575) used in hunting was recovered from the backyard dumps. Building O was cleared at the end of the phase, the associated pottery dating to the late 13th or early 14th century.