Monument record IPS 2067 - Location of possible Saxon, Med, and Pmed actvity at Land north of Dock Street, Ipswich

2018: An archaeological Desk Based Assessment was undertaken to inform the planning process should any development be proposed on an area of land fronting onto Dock Street, Ipswich. Evidence of Prehistoric and Roman evidence within the area was low.

The site lies close to the main of Saxon settlement of Ipswich, which is located on the north bank of the River Orwell. Excavations undertaken from the 1970s onwards have confirmed Middle Saxon expansion of the settlement on the south side of the river in the area of site. A number of the local streets, including Dock Street (formerly Dock Lane until early-19th century) and the nearby Great Whip Street, are thought to originate from the Middle Saxon period. The alignment of Great Whip Street suggests it was once the main routes into the town from the south and there are documentary references to a ford across the river being situated at its northern end, the location of which falls within the site. On the north side of the river there is evidence for multiple phases of reclamation activity from the Saxon period onwards. It is possible that a similar process of reclamation occurred in the area of the site in association with the Middle Saxon expansion south of the river.

Occupation of this area continued throughout the medieval period but there is no evidence for any specific activity in the area of the site. There are medieval documentary references to dwellings in Dock Lane but these are probably located at its western end, close to the bridge. Given the site’s location on a relatively important route, particularly as at least some traffic was presumably using the bridge (first documented in 970AD), and adjacent the ford, it is highly likely that the area of the site would have been occupied.

Evidence for post-medieval activity is from 18th century when the entire area between Dock Street and the river, was occupied by malthouses, maltoffices and a possible timber yard. In 1803 this area was purchased for use as barracks until being sold in 1813, at which point it reverted to being used for malting. What was probably the sloping approach to the ford at the north end of Great Whip Street continued to be marked on maps up until the mid-19th century, when it was occasionally referred to as a slipway. In the 1840s a quay wall was built along the river edge as part of the realignment of the river in association with the development of the Ipswich Wet Dock. The area behind the new quay wall was presumably infilled and the area of the site gained its present shape. In 1856 the maltings complex was divided into six lots, of which the site comprised two lots, and sold at auction. It was purchased by Edward Fison whose company name adorns the western wall of an extant late 19th century building that stands within the site.

It is probable that significant evidence relating to activity from the Middle Saxon period onwards survives as buried deposits and features. This potentially includes multple phases of reclamation behind timber quayside structures along with artefacts deposited as part of the infilling behind these. Given the riverside location these deposits are likely to be waterlogged and contain important organic remains, such as the timber structures and organic items discarded during reclamation, along with possible piers and wharfs etc. Other than the extant 19th building, and a succession of buildings along the western edge of the site, there has been relatively little post-medieval development within the site and therefore any buried evidence that may be present should be relatively undisturbed. (S1)