Charred Plant Remains from a Medieval Suburb at St. Mary's Gate, Derby: The Magistrates Courts Redevelopment (2001.59)

Excavations were carried out in 2001-2 by Archaeological Investigations Ltd. (Hereford) of the re-development of the site of the Magistrates Courts in Derby. During the excavation samples were taken from five areas of the development for the recovery of charred plant remains which can give evidence of diet, agriculture and activities in the past. Small numbers of fish bones and scales, and small animal bones were also recovered from the samples. The features sampled were urban contexts including pits, wells, ditches and gullies of medieval date ranging from Saxo-Norman to post-medieval but mainly of 12th-14th century date. The site was found to be an industrial suburb of the town with evidence for tanning being carried out on the site and the plant remains were investigated for evidence of the trades and occupation of the site. The site provided the first opportunity to record a range of plant remains from medieval Derby. [Taken from introduction]