Archaeological Dig

After the clearance of the area behind the shops in the Lower High Street, an archaeological dig took place on the remains of an ancient site.  This took place in the Autumn of 1987 and delayed the construction of “Mars 1” as it was then known.

The excavation behind the shops uncovered groups of pits and a few postholes in the plots behind Nos. 129-35 and 137-9.  The finds were not numerous but included Herts Greyware pottery of common forms; a few other medieval sherds and animal bones (largely cattle, sheep and goats.)  No material dating after c1300 AD was present, suggesting a gap in occupation before construction of new houses on the street in the 16C-17C.  Whether this gap is genuine or that the area has been truncated, is uncertain.  Cellars on the street frontage have destroyed earlier deposits along the street itself.