Medieval and post-medieval development of Berwick upon Tweed
One of the largest single assemblages of archaeological material to date has been recovered by AOC Archaeology Group on a building site in the centre of Berwick upon Tweed. Myddelton Construction Ltd, the Yorkshire based award-winning heritage specialist contractor, have been working on a historically sensitive building site on Berwick upon Tweed’s main shopping throughfare, 119 -126 Marygate.
Marygate represents an area of great archaeological potential as the road has been part of the urban centre of Berwick from the medieval period. The construction project which will take ten months to complete will see the creation of a retail space at ground floor level and six units of residential accommodation on the first and second floors
“As a company with experience of working on historic buildings, this particular project has proved to be interesting from the perspective of making historic finds on the site.” Adam Bowles Project Manager, Myddelton Construction Ltd
An archaeological excavation undertaken by AOC Archaeology Group during the Myddelton Construction Project on Marygate, Berwick-upon-Tweed revealed various layers of post-medieval midden deposits overlying post-medieval (18th century) building remains consisting of mortared stone walls, brick and tile surfaces and associated drains. Beneath these deposits and features were encountered earlier remains in the form of midden deposits, structures in the form of clay bonded walls, stone flagged surfaces and at least two kilns. Until the dating evidence in the form of pottery is examined more closely it is not possible to put an exact date on these features but they may relate to at least the mid 16th century. The earlier medieval features may relate to medieval Burgage plots that existed along Marygate at this time. Burgage plots are thin narrow plots of land that extended from the street frontage and were where industrial activity took place in medieval times.
“The excavations at 119-125 Marygate enabled our team of archaeologists to trace the development of a significant part of Berwick from the medieval period to the present day.” Erlend Hindmarch, AOC Project Officer
“Whilst this material has yet to be assessed in detail, it is one of the largest single assemblages of archaeological material recovered to date in Berwick and is a valuable archaeological resource. Further assessment of the assemblage will allow a glimpse both commercial and domestic activities occurring on the site and may even hint at the diet of some of Berwick's medieval inhabitants.” Nick Best, Assistant County Archaeologist.
AOC Excavation Director: Erlend Hindmarch
AOC Project Manager: Murray Cook
Client: Myddelton Construction Ltd
