PJO Archaeology

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• High Cross, Leicester
• Cabot Circus, Bristol
• York University
• Ringway Church, Greater Manchester
• Bristol Museum
• North Yorkshire Extensive Urban Survey
• Selby, James Street
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York University

May 2010 | University of York

PJO Archaeology is archaeological consultant to the University of York for the new campus site at Heslington East. Trial excavations by York Archaeological Trust in 2003-4 revealed extensive remains of prehistoric and Roman occupation. PJO Archaeology has developed a research design and brief for a programme of further excavations in advance of development which includes a training project for archaeology students and the local community.

Excavations by York Archaeological Trust began in December 2007 and have revealed an extensive late Iron Age field system defined by ditches. Several small enclosures contained the remains of round houses. Dumps of slag suggest ironworking.

In addition, it was found that a natural springhead was used as a water hole in the early Bronze Age - Iron Age. The water hole was carefully filled with cobble layers in the later Iron Age, although it clearly remained a feature of the landscape in the Roman period. Evidence for cult practices around the water hole site included a human skull of Iron Age date and a small Roman coin hoard. Another unusual discovery made nearby was of two large pieces of what may be a well lining of Bronze Age date.

On examination the human skull proved to have well-preserved mineralised remains of the brain surviving - this most unusual find is now being examined in a special research project at Bradford University.

York Archaeological Trust is now working on a report on the project.