Time Team - Northern Green, Westminster Abbey - Archaeological Evaluation and Assessment of Results

Wessex Archaeology

The evaluation aimed to further investigate these remains. Fieldwork consisted of five machine-excavated trial trenches as well as geophysical and topographic surveys. The trenches examined salient features of the Lshaped structure. The use of a distinctive mortar was found to unify and characterise all elements of this structure, showing it to be of a single phase of construction, although at the eastern end at least, its foundations were extensively incorporated into those of the later, mid 16th century buildings.

Six in situ burials were discovered, as well as significant quantities of redeposited human bone. A sample of bone from one burial, morphologically similar to, and on the same alignment as, two others identified by Poole, was radiocarbon dated to Cal. AD 1025 – 1155, and the alignment of these three chalk block-lined graves, at odds with that of the present Abbey, may provide some indication of the previously unknown orientation of the mid 11th century abbey constructed by Edward the Confessor. Although not independently dated, the other in situ burials share their alignment with that of the present Abbey, and are likely to be of 13th century date.

Although the Victorian works, and the subsequent insertion of numerous services have clearly had a significant impact on the archaeological remains, the Time Team evaluation successfully demonstrated their extent, character and condition, showing that substantial stratified remains of medieval and post-medieval date do survive below the Northern Green.