Gloucester City Campus
Cotswold Archaeology has recently completed an excavation in an urban setting at the Gloucester City Campus on behalf of the University of Gloucestershire. It took place prior to the redevelopment of a former department store at 30–44 Northgate Street, Gloucester, ahead of construction of a centre for teaching, learning and community partnerships.
The site lies in the north-eastern part of the Roman city of Gloucester. It was occupied in the medieval period by the church of St Aldate’s, which was extensively re-built in the 17th century. The excavation was focused on areas of development for drainage and foundations, as well as within the existing basement of the former department store, in a small courtyard surrounded by existing upstanding building.
Working closely with the client, principal contractor, local authority archaeologist and representatives of the Diocese of Gloucester, a programme of archaeological excavation and project resourcing was designed and approved. This collaborative and flexible approach ensured that potential programme and project risks were addressed at the earliest opportunity, to minimise costs as far as possible, whilst allowing the ongoing redevelopment works to continue in parallel with the required archaeological investigations.
Excavations in the basement revealed Roman walls, waterlogged and well-preserved timber stakes and planking, a metaled courtyard surface, and a number of pits and ditches. The footprint of the later church of St Aldate’s was also revealed including a mid-14th-century stone window arch. The remains of 317 individuals in burials within the grounds of the church were also carefully excavated, offering potential for insights into the health and lifestyle of an urban population over several centuries.
Working with the University of Gloucestershire’s media department, Cotswold Archaeology has disseminated the provisional findings to the national and international press. It is planned that parts of the medieval stonework recovered will be displayed for visitors and users of the new centre. Further outreach and engagement, including public talks, are planned that will publicise the results from the excavation as they become available during the post-excavation process, a process which will lead ultimately to final publication.
