114-119 St. Aldate’s and 4-5 Queen Street, Oxford

In July 2015 Oxford Archaeology undertook an archaeological evaluation for CgMs
Consulting as part of preliminary groundworks associated with the redevelopment of
114-119 St Aldate's and 4-5 Queen Street, Oxford. Three test pits were undertaken
within the basement of the existing buildings to investigate levels of archaeological
preservation at the site.
The evaluation revealed the remains of undisturbed late Saxon/early medieval
horizons underneath the current basement levels. A series of pits containing
domestic waste and demolition material were exposed during the excavations. The
possible presence of walls and a compacted gravel surface demonstrates the
potential for structural remains to also be present. An absence of clay pipes and
modern material suggests that the archaeological horizons may have been sealed in
the early post-medieval period.
A small assemblage of late Saxon pottery was recovered from later features, an
indication that activity from this period may be represented at the site. A fragment
potentially from a crucible indicates that small-scale processing of bronze or
precious metals may have occurred on the site. The historical records show that
several large houses occupied part of the site during this period and formed part of
the Jewish quarter of Oxford.
The vast majority of the features and deposits revealed during the evaluation date
from the 13th-14th century. They include two potential walls, a compacted gravel
surface and three rubbish pits. The pottery, animal bone and tile assemblages are
predominately domestic in nature and presumably originated from the buildings with
frontages on Queen Street and St Aldate's.
Rare semi-waterlogged organic remains were recovered from one of these rubbish
pits, including food waste, 'cessy' material, mineralised insect remains and a leather
shoe. Some of this material is likely to represent domestic rubbish, while stabling
waste and/or faecal waste may also be present. The site has good potential to
include deposits that contain organic material which could provide an indication of
the diet, wealth and living conditions of the site's medieval inhabitants.
The site is located within the heart of the Saxon Burh and medieval walled town of
Oxford and any archaeological remains are likely to be considered highly
archaeologically significant. Wherever possible the proposed foundation designs
should try to avoid any impact on the archaeological resource. If the impact levels
do exceed the depth of the basement then it is likely to have significant
archaeological implications