In September 2021, York Archaeology monitored repairs to a sewer trench on Walmgate, York, on behalf of Yorkshire Water. The Walmgate excavation trench measured only 3.4m x 2.8m and reached a depth of 2.4m. Despite its small size, the trench offered a unique window into Anglo-Scandinavian Jorvik and added to our understanding of Walmgate’s occupation during this period.
Timber Structure Uncovered
Archaeologists uncovered a timber structure. It consisted of one horizontal timber positioned in front of three vertical oak planks, with a fourth vertical plank slightly offset to the northwest.
Dendrochronology, the scientific method of dating wood by examining its growth rings, was used to date one of these planks. Analysis showed that the oak was felled between AD 958 and AD 981. Two segments of wickerwork were found alongside these timbers.
Other structural remains of a similar date exist on Walmgate. These include 10th-century stake and wattle buildings at right angles to the present street at 41–49 Walmgate, as well as a succession of timber buildings with wattle structures to the rear at the same address, and a large wattle-lined pit or well dating from the 9th to 10th century at 118–126 Walmgate. At 41-49 Walmgate evidence of leatherworking, wool processing, and possibly even metalworking has been found.
Sadly, due to the limited size of the trench, it is unclear whether the timbers found in the sewer trench are part of a building or a smaller domestic structure such as a timber and wicker lined pit.
Environmental Evidence
Environmental sampling at the site provided fascinating insight into Anglo-Scandinavian diets. Archaeologists recorded charred cereals, including oat, hulled barley, and wheat, alongside lettuce, turnip, and flax. Wild plants that were likely foraged for food were also present, including elder, blackberry, common plum, hazelnut, acorn, common chickweed, and field pennycress.
The recovered charcoal was mainly alder, with some poplar/willow, viburnum, and oak. Around one third of the alder came from roundwood, such as small branches and twigs, suggesting it was deliberately collected as fuel.
