Monument record 1588600000 - Rear of 9 & 11 Main Street

Evaluation trial trenching by Oxford Archaeology East in March 2013 in advance of proposed development of two new houses, revealed evidence of medieval occupation in Trench 1 at the eastern side of the development area. The western area was formerly part of a pond or stream and no pre-modern remains were found in Trenches 2 and 3. Two phases of medieval and early post-medieval occupation were probably represented by the features in Trench 1 but only one phase was dated. Two large medieval rubbish pits contained 13th to early 15th century pottery and a few animal bones. Environmental sampling of the pit fills produced charred cereal grains and seeds, probably culinary, as well as burnt hay possibly used for flooring or bedding. Three undated post holes were found adjacent to the pits and may have been the remains of a possible late medieval or early post-medieval structure fronting onto The Beechams. The lane may be shown on the 1599 Salden Estate map with houses along it. If the post-built structure is of this period, it is likely to have gone out of use before the early 19th century, as all surviving later maps of Mursley show no buildings fronting onto the lane. See report for detail (B1).
Subsequent excavation in January 2015 and watching brief in March 2015 by Oxford Archaeology East. (Report awaited).