Exeter College Porters’ Lodge, Oxford

Oxford Archaeology (OA) has undertaken a programme of archaeological investigation at Exeter College, Oxford during refurbishment of the Porters’ Lodge in the west range of the main quadrangle. The Grade I listed building was constructed in 1682 during a period of great prosperity for the college.
The investigation included a watching brief to record elements of the Porter’s Lodge revealed during the soft strip and was supported by historic research. An archaeological watching brief was also undertaken to monitor excavation in the Turl Street gatehouse.
The principal discovery was that the timber ceiling was designed to be plastered and had evidence for only one stud partition wall. This suggests the space was built as one main room with a fashionable ceiling found in high status 17th century interiors. Combined with historic plans, this evidence indicates the lodge had an unknown original function before being converted into student rooms by 1733 and a porters’ lodge by 1848.
Limestone masonry of varying quality was exposed in some sections of wall, but most of the plaster was not removed. An original blocked fireplace with a flagstone hearth was observed on the south wall but nothing was visible of a later fireplace in the west wall. Original wide floorboards survived predominantly in the middle of the room.
No significant archaeological remains were revealed during the excavation in the gatehouse. The excavated area consisted of disturbed layers of made ground and 20th century pipes. The lowest layer reached had greater archaeological potential and produced post-medieval pot and tile.