Monument record LWT 351 - Medieval and post medieval settlement activity, White Horse Street

Archaeological evaluation recorded a spread of midden or refuse deposits of transitional late-medieval and post-medieval date, overlying an earlier pit of 11th-14th century date. The subsequent excavation and watching brief revealed evidence for medieval activity in the form of post-hole clusters likely to represent dwellings and ancillary buildings. Structural remains included wells, and a number of pits were excavated. The dateable contexts for much of the site lie between the 13th-14th and 16th-18th centuries. Of the 235 sherds of pottery recovered, c 40% was imported wares dominated by late 15th and 17th century fabrics, which may be a reflection of the function and status of the site and activities of manufacturing, storage and food processing in the port town. Excavation retrieved a range of imported pottery, which has high potential as evidence for trade. Environmental remains indicate that most plants consumed on the site would have been imported to it, and also identified a frequent presence of spheroidal hammerscale in samples, indicative of metalworking activity on the site. The site lies adjacent to earlier excavations on Compass Street (LWT 183).
Included in the Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History annual round up of individual finds and discoveries for 2016 (S1)

2016: Following the results of an evaluation which identified evidence of medieval and post medieval settlement, archaeological excavation and monitoring of groundworks was undertaken and identified settlement activity spanning the 12th to 18th centuries and into the 20th century. Features included structures, some with associated floor surfaces, pits containing midden or refuse deposits, possible quarries, wells and made-ground of medieval to post–medieval date.
Artefacts from these features suggest British and continental trade across the medieval to modern periods, with imported pottery wares from Germany, France and Spain, including a high portion of Dutch-type wares perhaps indicative of Flemish immigrants settling in the vicinity. This site and previous archaeological works nearby has produced the largest assemblage of medieval and early post-medieval ceramic building material currently known from Lowestoft, indicating a seemingly wealthy area of the town. Some faunal remains show butchering and the environmental evidence suggests that cereals: hulled barley, bread wheat, oat and pea may represent mainstays of the diet. The results of this archaeological project provides insight into the historic development of a major East Anglian seaport with connections to elsewhere in British Isles and Europe. (S2)