Archived Topic
Topic ID 2736
01/05/2007 by Arty
Archaeolgical Investigations?
The foundations for the new Five Bishops Establishment are well under way next to the Castle Walls.
Does anyone know if any archaeological work has been done here prior to the developers moving in?
Even as a layman, I would have thought there could have been some interesting finds here, given the close proximity to the Castle boundary.
0 replies
Archived Replies
Reply ID 39368
01/05/2007 by Steve
Indeed, one of the conditions included in the planning approval was for achaelogical investigations...
"No development shall take place until the applicant has secured the implementation of a programme of archaeological work in accordance with a written scheme of investigation which has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Reason To secure the protection of and proper provision for any archaeological remains, in accordance with Government advice set out in PPG16 'Archaeology and Planning' and in accordance with policy BE15 of the East Herts Local Plan"
There was also a condition that the work started within five years. The application was approved on 12th December 2001. I think they may have just scraped in on that one!
Reply ID 39378
01/05/2007 by Aelle
I think there have been two phases of archaeological work carried out on the site. I recall that a couple of years ago two evaluation trenches were dug within the boundary of the old workingmans club and I remember talking to someone who saw them that they were two deep, dangerous holes. I have also heard that there has been archaeological monitoring of the current works. I don't think much was found in either case because of the heavy truncation by previous developments, but you would have to refer to any documentation produced by the excavators, which is normally held at the County Record Office.
Reply ID 39410
01/05/2007 by Leo Densian
quote:
Originally posted by Aelle
I I remember talking to someone who saw them that they were two deep, dangerous holes.
I felt the same way about those public lavs [;)]
Reply ID 39424
01/05/2007 by Rabbit Rabbit
quote:
Originally posted by Arty
Does anyone know if any archaeological work has been done here prior to the developers moving in?
There was an archeological dig there in the summer of 1972, a large hole about the size of a large room was dug close to the wall of the castle. In the bottom of it were found various post holes from dwellings and rubbish pits. The pits were filled with animal bones and oyster shells showing what the locals were eating. Broken pottery dated the site to around 1100 - 1300 and on examination came from all over the south east.
A single coin was found and was then promptly lost, only to be found again on about the last day of the dig. The labour for the dig came from the local school for wayward boys at Crouchfield, Chapmore End. Before it was refound, it was thought that one of these scallies had pinched the coin.
I saw a notice on the board in the 6th Form common Room at Richard Hale School and spent a very pleasant summer accompanying archeologists to various digs in the area including the site of the soon to be built A10 bypass at Puckeridge (lots of Roman) and Revels Farm in Bengeo (not a thing was found here).
One of my best memories was my first taste of beer from the bar at the Workingmens club. I didn't do any more digs after that but still think Time Team is the best thing on the television... If I had my time again perhaps I should have become an archeologist...
Reply ID 39459
02/05/2007 by Arty
Thank-you!
5 replies