Recording by D Williams of SCC of Roman pottery in a length of ditch exposed during the creation of a basement. (365)

Archaeological observations and recording by M Higgins of SCC prior to renovation of the 18th century well head structure revealed evidence of the incorrect reconstruction – by an early 20th century date – of the supporting structure to the roof over the well head.

Monitoring of groundworks by J Robertson of SCAU during the installation of a gas pipeline along Castle Walk. No features of archaeological interest were revealed and the area appeared to have been disturbed previously. However, a number of artefacts were recovered from the excavated spoil, including pottery fragments dating from the 11th–19th centuries, brick, tile, clay pipe and animal bone.

Tree-ring analysis, by members of the EH Centre for Archaeology, of timbers in the roof thought to have been constructed pre-Reformation. Seven timbers were dated and gave an interpreted felling date range of AD 1553–64, and therefore a post-Reformation date for the roof.

Archaeological monitoring by T Howe of SCC of path construction and creation of disabled access to the museum. No finds or features of archaeological interest were revealed, as excavations were not of sufficient depth to reach the underlying archaeological deposits.

Evaluation and excavation by J Robertson of SCAU prior to development of the rear of the property. Deposits and structural features (including the remains of walls) were revealed, suggesting occupation on the site from the 12th century onwards.

Ongoing research excavation by P Harp of Plateau continued to recover later prehistoric artefacts. In the 2003 season, approximately 100 pieces of struck flint and ten sherds of late prehistoric pottery were recovered from just beneath the plough-soil. An additional test pit was excavated as part of the Time Team `Big Dig’; finds consisted mainly of Bronze Age struck flint, one sherd of Bronze Age pottery, one rim sherd of Late Roman pottery and three fragments of medieval roof tile

Evaluation by P Askew of MoLAS revealed no finds or features of interest, with the site having been heavily landscaped, most likely in the 1920s. A geoarchaeological assessment of the underlying Clay-with-Flints subsoil did, however, provide useful information relating to the formation of these deposits.

Research excavation by P Harp of Plateau. Approximately 200 Lower or Middle Palaeolithic pieces of struck flint were recovered, mainly from what was interpreted as the disturbed boundary zone between Clay-with-Flints and a loessic deposit under the plough-soil. A quantity of post-glacial lithics was also recovered. In addition to the note in 2003 (SyAC 90, 353), it should be reported that one of the surface finds was a Levallois core.

Watching brief by R Lambert of SCAU during the excavation of service and drainage trenches relating to the construction of a new toilet block. No features were revealed, but a small quantity of human bone, likely to be relatively recent, was collected. A few stray finds, including a flint flake likely to be of Neolithic or Bronze Age date, and clay pipe, were retrieved from the spoil.