Site Event/Activity record ESF24939 - Deposit, Land at Orchard Street, Ipswich, Suffolk

PROJECT DETAILS In July 2003 Archaeological Solutions conducted an archaeological evaluation on land at Orchard Street, Ipswich, (TM 16794 44624). The site is located on the north-eastern edge of the Saxon and medieval town and within the immediate vicinity of contemporary pottery kilns. The site appears to have remained as woodland, orchard and/or pastureland for many years, with construction inside the site boundaries only occurring when Orchard Street developed in the mid-19th century. The site has been in commercial and industrial use throughout the 20th century, with factory and warehouse buildings. Previous archaeological work at neighbouring sites on the St Helen's Street frontage has revealed extensive evidence of Saxon and medieval activity, particularly to the south-west of the site. The current evaluation also revealed small-scale remains of this date, suggesting that the remains extend into this area, albeit at a low level. These remains comprised a boundary ditch, and a square cut pit, similar to those found on the adjacent site. The evaluation also revealed sparse evidence suggesting that the western part of the site was relatively damp, possibly close to a pond, watercourse or flooded area in the early post-medieval period. Documentary sources indicate that much of the site was used as an orchard at this time, and a possible boundary / drainage feature has been identified in the centre of the site. A post-medieval square-cornered, vertical-sided pit was excavated, possibly similar to other earlier examples noted in the area, perhaps related to some small-scale industrial process rather than domestic activity. Project status: Complete Yes, Validated Yes Previous/Future Work: Previous Yes, Future Not known Associated Identifiers: Contracting Unit No. P1972 HER event no. IPS 466 NMR No. 1444757 Project Type: Field evaluation Development Type: Urban residential (e.g. flats, houses, etc.) Methods and Techniques: ''Sample Trenches'' Position in the Planning Process: After outline determination (eg. As a reserved matter) Reason for Investigation: Direction from Local Planning Authority - PPG16 Site status: None Current Land use: Industry and Commerce 1 - Industrial Monument Type(s)/Period(s): DITCH Post Medieval , PIT Post Medieval , DITCH Medieval , PIT Medieval Artefact Type(s)/Period(s): POTTERY Medieval , POTTERY Post Medieval PROJECT LOCATION Area 0.50 Hectares Grid Reference: TM1679444624 Point Height 11.00 - 13.00 metres PROJECT CREATOR(S) Organisation: Archaeological Solutions Ltd Brief originator: Suffolk County Council Archaeology Service Design originator: Jon Murray Director/Manager: Jon Murray Supervisor: Josh Williams BSC PGDip AIFA DIGITAL ARCHIVE Recipient: To be deposited at AS archive, Bury St Edmunds Contents: 'other' PAPER ARCHIVE Recipient: To be deposited at AS archive, Bury St Edmunds Contents: 'other' PHYSICAL ARCHIVE Recipient: To be deposited at AS archive, Bury St Edmunds Contents: 'other' BIBLIOGRAPHY Publication Type: Grey literature (unpublished document/manuscript) Title: Land at Orchard Street, Ipswich, Suffolk; an archaeological evaluation Author(s)/Editor(s): Doyle, K., O'Brien, L., Williams, J. Other Bibliographic Details: AS report no. 1699 Date: 2004 Issuer/Publisher: Archaeological Solutions Place of Issue or Publication: Hertford Description: A4 ring bound document