* Parks Rd not South Parks Rd!

Hi Sue, OA did a significant dig on the 14th c New College kitchen which is in px (should be essentially done by now).

6/6
The near surface archaeology included walls and a hearth surface that likely relate to the former medieval college kitchen and also buried floor layers within the basement of the 17th century east range of the Front Quadrangle, which are likely to relate to the former medieval east range.

5/6
..was regularly scoured an earlier date for the construction of the ditch remains possible. A further round of borehole work was undertaken after an attempt to excavate a deeper sondage was abandoned due to logistical issues and therefore further results are anticipated.

4/6
The initial rc dating results suggest that the organic fill at the base of the ditch dates to the late 9th-10th century, consistent with the construction of a primary burh by King Alfred or his children, although the range is still relatively broad & if the ditch ..

3/6
The presence of a smaller or 'primary' defended town or burh, protected by a bank and ditch, that may have been later expanded eastwards and westwards, has long been a topic of discussion and debate.

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Two east-west close-spaced archaeological borehole transects appear to have confirmed the route of a north-south primary burh ditch first suggested 125 years ago following excavations in the Clarendon Quadrangle, where a wall and bank were recorded heading south-east.

5/5
A last-minute redesign of the drainage scheme was secured which significantly reduced the archaeological impact, with the pumping station relocated to the eastern side of the site thus raising the foul sewer levels.

4/5
3) the subsequent contraction of the site and the construction of a later precinct wall further north with some of the former southern precinct turned over to water management (channels and fishponds).
#Abbey #Augustinian #Oxford

3/5
This suggests at least three major reconfigurations of the site 1) A 12th century priory/early abbey layout evidenced by the water channel 2) the construction of a large precinct wall enclosing the southern end of the abbey site, thought to be pre-14th century in date and…

2/5
A number of north-south water channels revetted with timber were revealed and an important discovery was a timber lined north-south channel running under the pre-14th century buttressed precinct wall. A stunning ‘serpent head’ medieval ring was recovered from the channel fill.

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Two samples of animal bone from the site have produced clear late 6th-early 7th century CE radiocarbon dates.

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Quantities of Saxon and re-used Roman pottery were recovered along with slag, a carved bone needle, a decorated spindle whorl and a good assemblage of animal bone.

4/6
In May a strip and record excavation by John Moore Heritage Services and subsequent watching brief revealed three likely sunken features buildings and a ditch of early Anglo-Saxon date.

3/6
In Oxford the main focus for early Saxon settlement seems to be either side of Littlemore Brook and (based on the results from Dominion Oils site located next to Heyford Hill Sainsburys) just beyond.

2/6
Later he called them the West Saxons & they were pushed south by the emergence of Mercian power to a new centre around Winchester.
#Archaeology #History #Oxford

4/4 [Dr Kettell said that] “Scobberlotchers did no hurt, were sober but went idleing about the grove with their hands in their pockets, and telling the number of trees there, or so.”

3/4 Aubrey says: “When [17th c college head Dr Kettell] scolded the idle young boies of his college, he used these names. Viz. Turds., Tarrarags (these were the worst sort, rude raskells, Rascal-Jacks, Blindcinques, Scobberlotchers…”

2/4 The pits below the college lawn contain large quantities of 17th c & later clay pipe & other debris. There is a strong flavour of heavy tobacco consumption & the pursuit of leisure, corresponding nicely to the observations of antiquarian John Aubrey…
#History #Oxford