Oxford Paradise Street Evaluation phase 2

Phase 1

Oxford Archaeology (OA) carried out a field evaluation at Paradise Street, Oxford on behalf of Ambroseden Court Ltd. The evaluation revealed a layer of rubble within the Castle Ditch which may have acted as a ford or weir at the point at which the ditch meets the Mill Stream. A channel forming part of a ?16th-century sluice house was seen, into which
a later brick culvert had been constructed. A possible 18th-century pitched stone surface was encountered which was cut by a large 19th-century feature; both may be related to the sluice house, which is known from
16th- and 17th- century maps of the area.

Phase 2
Oxford Archaeology carried out a field evaluation at Paradise Street, Oxford on behalf of Ambroseden Court Ltd, representing St. Peter’s College. The evaluation revealed a limestone spread which may have formed part of an early ford or weir at the point where the castle moat fed into the Mill Stream. Layers of re-deposited clay and gravel were also discovered, which probably date to the construction of the defences of the adjacent Oxford Castle. The floor of a probable 13th century building was discovered at the north end of the area excavated. A sequence of metalled surfaces related to Paradise Street itself was uncovered, dating to between the 13th and 16th centuries, along with a road-side drainage ditch. A channel revetted by stone walls, which was probably involved in management of the flow of water from the moat and which had been previously observed in the Phase I evaluation, was further investigated, and the foundations of a sluice house which formerly stood over it were identified. This structure was dated to the 16th century and is believed to be the building recorded at this location on a map dating to c 1615. Floor surfaces belonging to later buildings fronting onto Paradise Street were also present.