Monument record IPS 2070 - Possible site of Ipswich's Saxon and Medieval defensive ditch at 34-56 Upper Orwell Street (SA) DBA + EVL

Please read our .

Summary

A DBA indicated the site had a high potential for evidence of Ipswich's Saxon and Medieval defensive ditch

Location

Grid reference Centred TM 1671 4445 (20m by 53m)
Map sheet TM14SE
Civil Parish IPSWICH, IPSWICH, SUFFOLK

Map

Type and Period (0)

Full Description

2019: An archaeological Desk Based Assessment was undertaken to inform the planning process in advance of the development of an area of land at 34-56 Upper Orwell Street, Ipswich. The Proposed Development Area (PDA) lies immediately
adjacent to Upper Orwell Street and comprises the site of a recently demolished terrace of 19th century buildings.

A lack of evidence in the local area suggests there is a very low potential for prehistoric or Roman archaeology to be present within the PDA.

The site lies along the line of the Late Saxon and medieval town defences. An excavation to the south of the PDA recorded the Late Saxon defensive ditch and its later medieval replacement. Middle Saxon features were also identified, at least one of which had been cut by the Late Saxon ditch. A stream, which formerly ran down Upper and Lower Orwell Street, ran alongside the Late Saxon defence but was incorporated into the medieval ditch. Map evidence suggests that Upper Orwell Street, and Lower Orwell Street, are descended from a Saxon street that ran around the outer edge of the town defences. Based on the projected line of these defences, it is highly likely that a similar pattern of evidence would be present within the PDA.

The PDA is also located close to an area associated with the Saxon pottery industry. A number of kilns dating from the Middle and Late Saxon periods and other occupation evidence has been recorded immediately to the west and northwest of the PDA.

Mapping evidence suggests that from at least the early 17th century there was always a continuous row of closely set buildings within the PDA, indicating that the defences had been levelled and developed by this time. These buildings were probably situated upon the backfilled medieval town ditch and the yards to the rear, or possible a linear plot to the west, were probably on the site of the former rampart.

The last buildings on the site were a terrace of mid to late 19th century houses, at least five of which were cellared. The cellars were probably contemporary with the aboveground structures although the possibility they may have been earlier cannot be ruled out. They should survive as buried features within the PDA. It is also possible that large parts of the PDA have not been disturbed by cellars and that substantial lengths of the former defensive earthworks will remain relatively undisturbed, although, given the depths involved, it is likely that portions would survive below the cellar floors. Towards the rear of the PDA, in areas less likely to have been cellared, evidence for Middle Saxon occupation and industrial activity may also be present. Given the presence of a stream and the great depths involved, it is probable that waterlogged deposits will be present in not only the lower ditch fills but any other deep features that may be present, such as pits or wells. (S1)

Sources/Archives (1)

  • <S1> Unpublished document: Sommers, M.. 2019. 34-56, Upper Orwell Street, Ipswich Suffolk: Desk-Based Assessment.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (2)

Record last edited

Feb 13 2023 3:27PM

Comments and Feedback

Do you have any more information about this record? Please feel free to comment with information and photographs, or ask any questions, using the "Disqus" tool below. Comments are moderated, and we aim to respond/publish as soon as possible.