Excavations at Winchester, 1969: Eighth interim report

Abstract

SummaryFive sites were excavated in 1969. At Castle Yard the pre-Roman and Roman defences were examined and a large salient discovered at the south-west corner of the Roman walled town. A Saxon street and its buildings lying within this salient were found buried below the castle earthworks of 1067, and the early development of the castle was investigated. At Lankhills sixty fourth-century graves were excavated, four producing evidence of an alien military element in the late Roman town. Further evidence of this alien element was found at the Cathedral Green, and together with earlier discoveries, suggests the presence of a Germanic garrison. The excavation of the Old Minster was completed by the examination of the east end of the seventh-century church, and by the discovery of a west-work of continental type consecrated in 980. At Lower Brook Street four houses and other structures of the mid twelfth to mid thirteenth century were excavated, one property being devoted entirely to cloth finishing with a rack-ground and dye-house. Three phases of St. Mary's Church were examined and the latest stage of St. Pancras' Church uncovered. At Wolvesey Palace the west hall can be dated to c. 1110. The lead-piped water-supply of the palace was investigated, its first stage belonging to the early twelfth century. Excavation continues.