by Dani Shacklock (York Fieldwork Team)
In early 2022, Openreach excavated two small 3m x 2m telecommunications trenches at York Station Gateway, Queen Street, York.
Multiple intercutting pits and layers of dumping were encountered which were mostly Romano-British in date, pointing to intensive activity throughout the period.
The vast majority of the finds recovered were dated to the 2nd to 4th century AD, and most of the finds were pottery. A staggering 1588 fragments of pottery were found, weighing in at 48.2kg (the weight of a large golden retriever!). A total of 1550 of these pottery sherds were Romano-British in date, and the remaining 38 were medieval. Most of the pottery was locally produced, but some was imported, showing the flow of goods throughout the Roman Empire. The fragments of amphorae recovered have been identified as originating from Gaul, Spain, Italy, and even one fragment from North Africa. These would most likely have contained wine.
Fine Tableware and Imported Pottery
Pieces of fine tableware were also recovered, the majority of which was Samian ware. Other types included imports like Moselkeramic Black-slipped ware beakers alongside nationally-traded types like Lower Nene Valley colour-coated wares. Fragments of mortaria, used for crushing and grinding food, were also found.
A Roman Surface
A crude Roman surface dating from the late 3rd/4th century was seen to be made up of not only cobbles but also roofing tile, brick, and fragments of amphorae.
More than just pottery
But it isn’t all smashed pot. Bones found on the site included cattle, sheep/goat, pig, horse, chicken, geese, fish, a dog and even a mouse. Butchery marks were visible on some of the cattle, sheep/goat, and pig bones. The team also pulled out no fewer than 70 iron nails, part of a glass bead, two knives and the socket of a spearhead.
You can read more about the the dig Internet Archaeology: Issue 71 (2026)
