Abingdon West Central Redevelopment Area Oxfordshire Post Excavation Assessment and Updated Project Design

Between November 2002 and December 2003 Oxford Archaeology
carried out a series of evaluations, excavations and watching briefs within the centre of Abingdon (NGR SU 4962 9702) in advance of a residential development by Lovell Partnerships Ltd. The fieldwork revealed evidence for late lron Age - early Roman defensive ditches, which continued to function into the 2nd century AD. Roman pits and
postholes were also observed. A Saxon ditch was seen to the north of the site and may have formed part of a property boundary. Medieval structures were seen to front West St
Helens Street and associated cess, tanning and rubbish pits were also revealed. Late medieval structures were observed to the north of the site, these may have formed part of the former Lamb Inn.
Medieval walls and pits were also seen within the central and western parts of the site. The features were probably associated with properties fronting Ock Street and the former vicarage of St Helens, although they may have related to the Chapel of St Edmunds.
Post-medieval evidence for the Lamb Inn was also evident and the limits of a Civil War cemetery were established within the centre of the site.