| Description | An archaeological watching brief was carried out at Wetherby Cattle Market by On Site Archaeology between April 2005 December 2005, prior to redevelopment of the site into shops with residential flats above.
One of the earliest features discovered during the course of the watching brief was a probable Roman burial. Nails founds within the grave cut imply that it was a coffin burial, and the skeleton’s orientation with the feet pointing southwest would suggest that it was earlier than Medieval. Other pits that were stratigraphically earlier than this burial could possible relate to earlier settlement at this site.
Various features were uncovered that were unable to be dated, but are assumed to date to the Medieval period. These include a series of pits and possible post holes. One pit, however, could be dated as it contained within it four fragments of mid 11th to mid 12th century Yorkshire Gritty Ware jars. A probable Medieval occupation layer was also discovered, including foundations cuts with remnants of un bonded sandstone foundation within. There seems to have been a higher level of activity towards the west of the site, where it is thought that the Medieval main street ran past, running parallel to Horsefair.
The majority of the features uncovered during the watching brief related to the former cattle market that was subsequently demolished. These features include cobbled surfaces, sandstone wall foundations, and two sandstone lined and capped drains. A red tiled area was identified as being part of the sheep pens within the modern market.
Recent demolition activity at the site resulted in a layer of rubble and other demolition material. Within this material, various fragments of 20th century pottery were found, along with clay pipes and fragments of electrical wiring. |