5 & 9 West Street and 4, 5 & 6 Westgate, Yarm
NZ 416 130; (Catrin Jenkins); evaluation between the 23rd of April and the 15th of May 2001, excavation 11th-15th February 2002 and watching brief between December 2001 and May 2002; YFS 01/02
The archaeological evaluation comprised five trial trenches, one in each of the gardens of Nos. 5 and 9 West Street and Nos. 4, 5 and 6 Westgate, Yarm.
Three evaluation trenches were situated within the back gardens of 4, 5 and 6 Westgate. Alluvial silts of medieval or earlier origin were the earliest deposits to be encountered in each case. Subsequently, a medieval ground surface had existed and parts of cut features of medieval origin were recorded both sealed by and cutting this horizon. Post-medieval deposits and features were also recorded underlying modern made-up ground and levelling layers.
The two trenches in the gardens of Nos. 5 and 9 West Street also revealed a sequence of medieval or earlier alluvium overlain by alluvial silts of probable medieval origin. Modern stratigraphy encountered in Site 5 comprised drainage and garden features, dumped material and topsoil.
Subsequent excavation was undertaken in the gardens of 4-6 Westgate along the line of a new flood wall in three trenches measuring 600mm wide.
Two shallow features of probable medieval date were exposed in the base of the one of the trenches. Soil horizons of post-medieval and modern date were also recorded, along with a number of features of modern origin.
Archaeological monitoring and recording was undertaken in association with mechanical excavations for a new flood wall foundation trench, at various locations around the Yarm peninsula. In places these investigations revealed alluvial material of probable medieval origin, and stone footings for post-medieval property boundaries.
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