41-49 Walmgate, York: Timeline

On this page you can explore the development of the stratigraphy of the Walmgate site. Each bar on the timeline to the right represents an individual phase or group of sub-phases. Click on the bars to display a simplified plan and brief description of each phase. Click on the Data Record link to display the full database record for the selected phase.

Timber Buildings A to E and industrial activity

A sequence of timber buildings, Buildings A to E, was recorded within the two deepest parts of the excavation area: Area Q along the Walmgate street frontage, and a small portion on the eastern side of the site, which was to be used for a lift shaft. Buildings A and B were located within the lift shaft area. Buildings C to E were located within Area Q, and were separated chronologically by industrial deposits.

Timber Buildings F and G

Timber buildings, Buildings F and G, overlaid the deposits recorded in Phase 1. These were located within the two deepest parts of the excavation area, Area Q (along the Walmgate street frontage) and the site of a lift shaft (for the building to be constructed on the site during redevelopment). These were assigned to a separate phase as Building F was structurally different from the earlier buildings.

Bank or platform construction, east side of site

On the eastern side of the excavation area a massive amount of dumped material was laid down to raise the ground level. This was probably done to create a building platform for a later timber building, Building H (see Phase 4).

Timber Buildings H to L

A sequence of timber buildings, Buildings H, I, J, K and L, was constructed across the full width of the excavated area along the Walmgate street frontage. Building H, which seems to have had a domestic function, was constructed on top of the building platform created in Phase 3. Building I was constructed on the Walmgate street frontage; this was replaced by Building J, which was itself replaced by Buildings K and L. All these buildings were very short-lived.

Industrial activities on open ground

There is a striking difference between the Phase 4 and Phase 5 land use of the area; the Phase 4 buildings were demolished and the area became open land, which was unused until the late 12th century. The area was then divided into two; the westernmost portion was used for industrial activities, ovens and dumping, while the eastern part was primarily used for dumping, although several linear features and fence lines criss-crossed its north end.

Timber Buildings M and N on the Walmgate street frontage

After the clearance of the kilns in the north-west corner of the excavation area two timber buildings (Buildings M and N) were constructed on the Walmgate street frontage, parallel to it and side by side. Building M was constructed first and had an annexe attached to its southern side; this contained a large hearth and was probably a kitchen or 'hot' work area for some craft activity. Building N seems to have been used for iron smithing.

Building O and scattered industrial activities

Building M was cleared and a stake-built structure, Building O, was erected were Building M had stood. To the east of it a property boundary was laid out. Late in the phase (Phase 6.3) a sunken work area was laid out and other industrial activities carried on in the area between Building O and the property boundary. A cobbled surface was laid in the backyard and a series of large dumps accumulated.

New property division and timber-framed Buildings P to R

Initially, two new boundary walls were constructed, implying a major reorganisation of the property divisions on the Walmgate street frontage at the start of Phase 7. A sequence of timber-framed buildings, Buildings P, Q and R, was then constructed, utilising these new walls. A cobbled yard was also laid out behind Building P, and dumps built up behind Buildings Q and R. Building R was interpreted as a warehouse.

Building R and new timber-framed Buildings S and T

Building Q (see Phase 7) was substantially rebuilt as Building S and subsequently went through a large number of renovations. Building P (see Phase 7) was rebuilt as Building T but no appreciable occupation deposits built up within it. Building R (see Phase 7) also underwent a number of alterations. The backyard area was used for dumping and pit digging. Some of the pits were used as latrines while other pits had clear connections with metalworking.

Building U

During this phase a new structure, Building U, was constructed on the western side of the excavation area, on the Walmgate street frontage. The building was used for non-ferrous metalworking.

Alterations to Building U and construction of
Buildings V, W and X

Within this phase the Walmgate street frontage buildings were redeveloped. Alterations were made to Building U; the Phase 8 buildings, Buildings R and S, were demolished prior to the construction of new buildings, Buildings V and W. Additionally, Building X was constructed in the south-western corner of the excavation area, suggesting the insertion of a new lane (St Denys’ Road) and the development of houses along its eastern side. The southern room of Building U and also Building W were used for ironworking.

Timber-framed Buildings U to Y

In this phase a number of changes occurred within the buildings that had been constructed in Phase 9.2 (Buildings U, V and W). In addition, a new building was constructed (Building Y), attached to the southern side of Buildings U and W. The northern room of Building U was used as a smithy; ironworking also took place in Building W and the southern room of Building U. Non-ferrous metal casting took place in Building W.

Renovation of Buildings U, W and Y

Buildings U, W and Y were renovated, and all three buildings continued to be used for metalworking. Building Y may have been used for storage or finishing work rather than smithing and casting.

Metalworking and internal modifications to buildings

Modifications were made internally to Buildings U, V, W and Y. Metalworking took place in Buildings U, W and Y, while Building V continued to serve as a hall. Both iron and copper alloy seem to have been worked.

Demolition of Building W and continuation of metalworking

In Phase 9.8 modifications were made to Buildings U, V and Y, Building W was demolished and a series of intercutting pits and subsidence hollows were located to the east of the yard and to the east of Building Y. Both ironworking and non-ferrous metalworking continued to take place in Buildings U and V.

Occupation continued in Phase 9.9 within an increasingly dilapidated Building Y, and further scattered activity took place to the east of Building Y and within the yard.

Modifications to existing buildings and the construction of Building Z

In Phase 10 a number of alterations were made to existing buildings (Buildings U, V and X). Further alterations were made to Buildings U and V in Phase 11 and the yard area was extended to the south. Within Phase 12 Building Z was constructed on the eastern side of the site and a number of modifications were made to existing buildings (Buildings U and V). Phase 13 saw the conversion of existing Buildings U and V into three tenements and the construction of a number of minor buildings in the backyard area.


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