Eastgate Excavations

Evans, D.H., and D. Tomlinson. Excavations at 33-35 Eastgate, Beverley 1983-86. Dorchester: Dorset Press, 1992.

This volume presents a comprehensive archaeological study of excavations at 33-35 Eastgate, Beverley, detailing the complex development of an industrial suburb from the late 11th to the 14th century. The focus of the study is on the dyeing trade, one of the principal industries in the area, and represents the most thorough examination of a medieval dye-works published in Britain.

The book traces land reclamation in the area, which began during the Middle Saxon period but accelerated after the Norman Conquest. The excavation revealed evidence of early iron smithing, flax processing, and shoemaking, but by the mid-12th century, textile dyeing became the dominant industry. Eight phases of development were documented, uncovering vats, drains, and industrial outbuildings, along with rich environmental and artefactual evidence. The study is supported by dendrochronological, archaeomagnetic, and radiocarbon dating.

Additionally, the book features a comprehensive analysis of pottery and other ceramic artefacts, highlighting the products of Beverley's prolific pottery industry. Non-ceramic finds include a range of tools, dress accessories, and well-preserved organic materials such as wooden and leather objects. The volume is rounded out by a wide-ranging discussion of the growth of Beverley, its industries, building types, and pits found on the site.

This is a hardcover book with a dust jacket in fine condition. There ia a label on the front sheet with a prior owner's address. There are no marks or highlighting inside. The book came with two microfiche sheets inside the back cover and they are included. It measures 8.5"wide x 12"tall x 1"thick. ISBN: 9780906090442. I am asking $20, including shipping.

Summary from First Page:

This volume of excavations examines the complex development of a series of tenements in an industrial suburb which flourished in the northeast of Beverley Minster from the late 11th to the 14th centuries. One of the principal industries which was established here was the dyeing trade, and this study represents by far the most detailed and comprehensive examination of an excavated dye-works to be published from medieval Britain.

Land reclamation in the area began in the Middle Saxon period, but the site remained relatively undeveloped until the Norman Conquest. Thereafter, a system of regular plot division was rapidly established, and an industrial community coalesced on the east side of the the street. Iron smithing, flax and hemp production and shoemaking are all attested in this area during the later 11th and early 12th centuries; however from the mid-12th century onwards the emphasis was to shift towards dyeing of textiles, and increasingly this industry was to dominate the life and use of these tenements until the later 14th century. A mass of structural evidence for this activity was recovered from eight phases of the site: vats, drains, industrial outbuildings and enclosures were associated with environmental and analytical evidence for the use of dyes. The dating for this complex structure sequence was provided by an extensive assemblage of associated artefacts, and corroborated by numerous dendrochronological, archaeomagnetic and radiocarbon dates.

The comprehensive pottery assemblage from these excavations forms a valuable complement to that recovered from the nearby monastic complex at Lurk Lane: taken together with the other ceramic artefacts (roof furniture, tiles and bricks) from this site, they offer a representative picture both of the range of products from Beverley's prolific tile and pottery industry, and of the variety of ceramic vessels which were reaching the town from other manufacturing centres. The non-ceramic finds include a wide range of tools (many of which are associated with textile production) and an important collection of dress accessories in a variety of materials. Excellent organic preservation led to the recovery of large quantities of wooden and leather objects, whilst the huge body of environmental evidence shedded light not only on the industrial activity carried out in these tenements, but also on the diet and life-style of their inhabitants.

The volume is rounded off with a comprehensive and wide-ranging discussion. The growth and development of this part of Beverley is looked at in the light of both the excavated evidence from this particular site, and of documentary information from neighbouring properties of Eastgate. Structural, analytical and artefactual evidence for the various crafts and industries attested on these properties and set into a broader context. The different types of buildings and constructional techniques are analysied in the light of the prevailing regional traditions. Finally, the various type of pits which were found on the site are categorized, and an attempt to relate their use and function to the various activities (both domestic and industrial) which were carried out here over a 300 year period.