Nos. 1-7 Longwall Street, Oxford Historic Building Investigation and Recording

Oxford Archaeology (OA) was commissioned by Magdalen College, Oxford to
undertake a programme of historic investigation and building recording at
Nos. 1-7 Longwall Street. The Grade II listed terrace is located immediately
west of the college and represents the development of the extramural city
between the 17th and 18th centuries.
The scheme involved a watching brief to record timber framing and other
previously hidden elements during the removal of render on the south and
east elevations. This revealed the terrace to be arranged in chronological order
from south to north. Nos. 1-3 date from the original development of Longwall
Street in the 17th century and Nos. 4-7 replaced earlier buildings in the 18th
century. Evidence was seen of building against former exterior elevations and
of various phases of refronting and repair.
Historic research supported the investigation and showed how Longwall
Street emerged following the construction of the eponymous town wall in the
13th century. Census research identified the working-class inhabitants of Nos.
1-7, many of whom were college employees, showing a continuity with
university life that endures to the present day.