Yorkshire Philosophical Society

Event Information

New Discoveries of an Ancient City: Advancing Perspectives on Roman York

Dr Paul Flintoft with Kate Allenby, and Ben Savine from York Archaeology

Over the last five years, York Archaeology has undertaken an above-average number of excavations, research projects and publications which have revealed and reported on Roman and Romano-British deposits and artefacts within the city. Recent sites, such as those at 105 – 111 Micklegate, the Guildhall northern annexe, 27 St Helen’s Road Regency Mews, and 117 – 119 The Mount, have provided new insights into the development of the Roman city. The majority of recent work has focused on domestic dwellings and farming practices, both of which have ranged from the seemingly modest to the highly Romanised and high-status.

When placed within the broader landscape of Roman York, the sites show patterns, particularly relating to changes in urban development and agrarian regimes. In the time-honoured tradition of archaeology, this has left us with more questions than answers, and we have developed a range of new research themes and approaches for addressing them. We expect to use these new approaches over the next five years to better understand the Roman development and occupation of York.

Joint Lecture with FOYAT and YPS

7pm in the Tempest Anderson Lecture Theatre in the Yorkshire Museum on Tuesday 24 March 2026.

FOYAT and YPS Members and students free, non members £5.

Member’s report:

The well-illustrated lecture looked at ten developer led excavations by York Archaeology over the previous five years with some mention of earlier ones to provide context. It was made clear that the aim of the lecture was not to provide a synthesis but to focus on confirmed discoveries.

Among these excavations the earliest finding in date was linked to the restoration of the Guildhall where 1st century terracing, unknown before at this early date, was discovered. Further work at the north annexe of the Guildhall led to the discovery of highly decorated wall plaster from domestic buildings and a range of small finds including bone pins, keys and a fine enamelled copper alloy buckle plate. There was also evidence for a 2nd century house being demolished and replaced with a wide wall described as a ‘serious piece of engineering’.

Excavations at the Minster Deanery Allotments and Garages revealed 2nd century barrack blocks in a small trench related to the upgrading of the fortress. At 27 St Helens Rd, Regency Mews, investigations uncovered activity principally linked to agricultural land management during the late 1st, 2nd and 3rd centuries. At this site a Roman cask lined well, made of silver fir, was found with a large assemblage of pottery, particularly flagons and amphorae. On Queen Street south of the river Ouse late 2nd and early 3rd century domestic refuse in pits were excavated, but no buildings were discovered.

The large-scale excavation at 115-111 Micklegate revealed a complex series of deposits including industrial waste. The earliest Roman buildings on the site were from the early 3rd century urban expansion of the city and included a well-preserved tiled hearth overlying earlier demolition deposits including in situ wall plaster.  Evidence of a high-status residence included the discovery of opus signinum, painted plaster, stone roof tiles, antefix and a highly decorated quern as well as a range of personal objects including a melon bead, keys, a glass bangle, jet ring, die and gaming counters. Of particular interest was the unearthing of what appeared to be a dolium jar. Reference was made to these large ceramic jars being found built into the counter of a shop in Pompeii destroyed by the eruption of 79 AD, where they served for the sale and consumption of food and beverages. Environmental material from the site also included olive and grape seeds.

On the outskirts of York excavations at the Wetherby Road roundabout revealed pastoral activity including watering holes from the late Iron Age through to the Romano-British period and a ring-ditch enclosure possibly used as an animal stockade. Similarly, a project on land off Boroughbridge Road uncovered evidence of agricultural, settlement and funerary activity of Iron Age/Romano-British date.  An excavation at the junction of Blue Bridge Lane and Fishergate, York also provided evidence of similar Roman activity consisting of two phases of field systems suggesting that land was being parcelled up. Specific dating of these features was still underway. A brief mention was made of material from an excavation on Queen Street where 3rd/4th material was found including quantities of broken amphora and two skulls from a spring.

Finally, the two speakers discussed a range of new research themes and approaches for addressing them which they expect to use over the next five years to better understand the Roman development and occupation of York. It was also explained that the results of many of these excavations can be found via York Archaeology’s website:

https://yorkarchaeology.co.uk  and some in the open access Internet Archaeology Journal https://intarch.ac.uk/

Jeff Taylor