Carlisle YMCA, 22-24 Fisher Street, Carlisle, Cumbria- Desk-Based Assessment

Following a proposal by Architects Plus for the refurbishment of existing buildings to create residential accommodation at the YMCA, 22-24 Fisher Street, Carlisle, Cumbria (NY 3996 5607), an archaeological desk-based assessment was requested by Cumbria County Council’s Historic Environment Service (CCCHES) to further inform the planning process. The proposed works include new footings, foundations and drainage runs, all of which have the potential to damage or disturb buried archaeological deposits, dependent upon the exact nature of the groundworks. The works would take place in an area of extremely high archaeological potential; in the early Roman period (late first and early second centuries AD), the site was situated just outside the south-east corner of Carlisle’s first timber fort (the fort itself lay north of Annetwell Street), although it is not clear if it lay within a possible defended annexe on the south side of the fort or in the civilian settlement (vicus) that grew up to the south. In the later Roman period, however, the site was certainly located within the vicus, which had grown into a sizeable town and an important regional centre. In the medieval and post-medieval periods the site was situated on Fisher Street, one of the principal thoroughfares of the historic walled city, and which was in existence at least as early as the twelfth century. This report presents the results of the desk-based assessment, which was undertaken by Oxford Archaeology North (OA North) in December 2007.

An outline of the topographical and historical background of the assessment area was produced, covering all periods, in order to provide a context for the results of the archaeological study. The assessment examined all available relevant secondary and primary sources, including early maps of the area held in the Cumbria County Record Office (CRO) in Carlisle. Cumbria County Council’s Historic Environment Record (HER) was also consulted. All sites identified during the course of the work were listed in a gazetteer and plotted onto a map of the study area.