Site Event/Activity record ESF21714 - Evaluation - Shire Hall, Bury St Edmunds

In March and April 2011, Archaeological Solutions Limited (AS), conducted an archaeological evaluation (trial trenching) at Shire Hall, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk (NGR TL 858 639). The evaluation was required to comply with the need for a Heritage Statement to accompany a planning application for development of a new wing to the former Shire Hall building (St Edmundsbury Ref. SE/11/0098). The proposed development area is in an area of Archaeological Importance within the Anglo-Saxon and medieval settlement core of Bury (BSE 242), and adjacent to the precinct of the Abbey of St Edmund (BSE 010, SAM SF2). Documentary work showed that, although outside the precinct, the site is likely to lie within the area of the Sacrist's yard. This would have included the hall, domestic buildings, offices, stables and workshops of his household. Test pitting also suggests that the area was generally within the early settlement core. The evaluation revealed 12th - 14th century features (predominantly pits and postholes), post-medieval deposits and associated pits (including a possible cess pit). Finds from the post-Dissolution layers/ features included residual medieval pottery, clay pipe and 18th - 20th century CBM. A possible structure was partially revealed at the northern end of the trench (comprising F1008, F1010, F1012, F1014, F1016, F1018, F1046, F1048 and F1050). The medieval features contained small quantities of pottery (between one and two sherds) and animal bone. Three features (1008, 1010 and 1018) contained struck flint suggestive of prehistoric activity.