Site Event/Activity record ESF24808 - Evaluation - The Priory Hotel, Bury St Edmunds

Targeted desk-based assessment, standing wall assessment and evaluation was conducted in advance of proposals to alter and extend the hotel. The site partially lies with in the SAM of Babwell Friary (BSE 014) and Historic England required archaeological investigation to be carried out under Scheduled Monument Consent. Assessment of curved wall extending from the east side and of the second stretch of wall extending south-west to north-east from a point beyond the existing breakfast room was recorded. Evaluation of a test pit (1.06mx1.58m) excavated by hand to a depth of 0.98m, no archaeological features were found. A trial trench (36mx1.6m) was excavated by machine, topsoil (0-0.09m) overlay a layer of firm, mid-dark grey brown sandy silt (0.09-0.4) which overlay a layer of dark brown grey sandy silt (0.40-0.58m) which overlay a layer of loose, mid brown grey sandy silty gravels (0.58m-0.77m). The natural was reached at 0.36-0.77m and was friable, pale to mid grey yellow silty course sand and gravels with occasional sandy lime mortar flecks (S1).