Monument record BSE 390 - Medieval features, Land of Risbygate Street and Nelson Road, Bury St Edmunds

The most common features in this phase are large deep near-vertical or vertical-sided pits, with shallow concave/flat bases where observed. While some were square or sub-rectangular shaped in plan, the majority were roughly circular, with diameters ranging from 1.5m to 3.5m and depths from 1.0m to in excess of 3.5m. These deep pits/shafts have been encountered in many sites within the town of Bury St Edmunds, and as yet no function has been confirmed for them. A significant number are likely to have been cess pits.
One potential square post-built structure was noted along the southern edge of the site that may date to this period (based on pottery from a single post hole) and a potential beam slot/regular post alignment was encountered towards the western edge of the site although it does not appear to be orientated with respect to either Nelson Road or Risbygate Street.
Several of the more regular shafts are interpreted as being wells with partial mortared flint linings where they are not dug through solid chalk geology. These features were not excavated to the bottom due to physical constraints and it should be noted that the artefacts dating them are from higher backfilling layers after their end of use, so their origins may be significantly earlier (S1).

An excavation in advance of development revealed a large number of wells, both medieval and post-medieval in date, as well as apparent structural remains (post-hole alignments and possible beam slots) of early/high medieval date likely to relate to outbuildings to the rear of properties adjacent to Risbygate Street, a significant entry/exit point for the medieval town. These properties would have been outside the town wall, and as such would likely have been for less-affluent occupants, potentially involved with the cattle trade, as the land backed onto the Cattle Market area to the S (S3).