Evaluations
Our site evaluations are essential for understanding the extent and significance of archaeological remains on your site, helping you make informed planning decisions.
Our team uses a range of methods – from monitoring geotechnical investigations to fieldwalking and trial trenching – to assess archaeological remains. These evaluations can identify proportionate mitigation measures and sometimes allow areas to be scoped out for further work.
We offer a wide range of evaluation services through our fieldwork and geoarchaeological teams, working closely with engineers and geotechnical contractors. Our evaluations cover projects from small scale archaeological boreholes or test pits to large area surveys. We also work with specialist subcontractors for geophysical surveys and we carry out fieldwalking and large-scale trial trenching.
Evaluations Case Study
North Star Developments
In July and August 2019, York Archaeology worked with North Star Developments to carry out an archaeological evaluation at Minster Self Drive, Micklegate, York. This work supported a planning application being considered by the City of York Council. The evaluation involved excavating and recording a single trench from the ground level down to the natural geological deposits.
The trench revealed a complex sequence of archaeological deposits, ranging from modern times back to the Roman era. We discovered bricks dating between the 18th and 20th century as well as possible medieval gardens to the rear. On the side facing Micklegate, we found a medieval stone wall and structural feature. Beneath this were third-century pits and dumps, overlaying a second-century building with possible evidence of a hypocaust system. This building sat directly above a Roman oven, dated to the late first or early second century AD.
Fishergate, York
Between 2022 and 2023, York Archaeology carried out excavations for GMI Construction and Olympian Homes at Rialto House, Fishergate, ahead of a 275-bed student accommodation project. The excavations uncovered evidence of human activity spanning from the Roman era to the 20th century. Earlier nearby excavations at Redfern’s Glass Factory (1985-86) and Blue Bridge (2001) had already revealed Anglian trading links between York, northern Gaul, and the Rhineland.
We applied a range of archaeological methods, including hand excavation, environmental soil sampling, Leica total station surveys, and drone-based photogrammetry. These techniques allowed us to gain valuable insights into how the area had been used historically.
Our Community Archaeology team engaged local schools, university groups, community organisations , and residents with site tours, providing a unique opportunity to observe archaeology in action.
The excavations revealed Roman enclosures, Anglian and Anglo-Scandinavian pits, with several wells and the remains of a large post-built structure. We are now in the post-excavation phase, with specialists analysing the collected material. The next step is to integrate these findings with previous excavations in the area, potentially resulting in a publication, museum exhibition, conference and social history project to share these discoveries with a wider audience.
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