Selected projects
4.19.28 A medieval moated site at West Street, Gargrave, North Yorkshire
During 1997, MAP Archaeological Consultancy Ltd undertook limited excavation on the western edge of residential development in the village of Gargrave, jointly funded by English Heritage and Burley Developments Ltd. Previous investigations had suggested occupation from the thirteenth century including a possible moated complex with later occupation both within the moated area and also extending away from the platform. Available evidence suggested that a high proportion of the site had not been disturbed in recent years and that preservation away from those areas previously investigated was good. This was verified by the reexcavation of a number of engineering testpits in early 1997. The site already had detailed planning permission subject to a watching brief condition, but in the face of its clear archaeological potential this was considered unacceptable. The archaeological programme carried out in 1997 was designed to address a number of specific questions relating to the earlier work.
The engineering test pits had suggested structural activity fronting onto West Street and on a different alignment to structures housed on the platform and those currently standing on West Street. The earliest features recorded in this area comprised evidence of agricultural activity associated with twelfth thirteenth-century pottery and evidence of small scale smithing. This agricultural horizon was sealed by deposits associated with a lime kiln, also of twelfth thirteenth-century date. Previous excavations had located a large cut feature, which was confirmed as a moat in 1997. A large V-shaped ditch was recorded, 2.6m deep and over 6.5m wide, which contained twelfth thirteenth-century pottery, animal bone, and metal artefacts, which was recut at least once, and which probably continued in use until the fifteenth century. The interior of the platform had previously been excavated, but the construction of three houses would cause considerable damage to unexcavated areas. Further excavation confirmed the probable thirteenth-century origin of settlement here, and structural features of fifteenth-century date that post-date the infilling of the moat itself. The information derived from the work in 1997, together with the results of previous work, will make a most important contribution to our understanding of the origins of settlement at Gargrave.
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