Project Overview

IAC provided all pre-planning and pre-construction archaeological services for a mixed-use redevelopment at Georges Street and Lower Stephen Street. The development of a 97-bedroom hotel and 4 commercial units involved the construction of a 5-storey over single basement structure to include retained Victorian brick façade.

A desktop assessment was undertaken to inform the planning process, which was followed up by a programme of archaeological test trenching conditioned to the development. This revealed that an archaeological horizon survived in part of the site, despite significant disturbance due to extensive redevelopment in the late 19th century.

Subsequent excavation was carried out to record and resolve these archaeological features prior to construction. The earliest activity on site comprised a pre-Norman defence system, in the form of a series of three ditches. At a later point in time these ditches were backfilled and a stake-built structure was erected.

Possible evidence for early tanning enterprise extends back to the 13th century, although the area retained a marginal character until the 17th century. Later tanning activity was recorded between the 16th and 18th centuries.

A wide-ranging artifactual assemblage was retrieved during the course of excavation, including medieval building materials and pottery, and post-medieval coinage, glass and leather objects to name a few.