Archeologists make major discovery at latest Home Development in North Yorkshire

PLANS to build a new affordable housing development in Ripon have been put on hold following the significant discovery of a medieval lime kiln.

Housing association Home recently instructed WYAS Archaeology Services to carry out exploratory excavations at a proposed new development in Ripon, North Yorkshire.

The scheme, Ripon House, was a former local authority nursing home and Home plans to re-develop the site to provide 27 two and three bedroom houses for rent for local people in housing need.

WYAS are in the process of publishing a full archaeological report for Home that details the amazing history of the site dating back to the Anglo-Saxons. However, the most fascinating find was a medieval lime kiln, a structure used for the burning of limestone to make quicklime for building and sometimes agricultural purposes.

As Ian Roberts, archaeologist from WYAS, who has been working at the site, says: “The lime kiln is a really exciting find for us. The 2.2m deep tapered pit measuring 5.7m in diameter at the top and 4m at the base make this one of the largest ever medieval lime kilns excavated in the UK.

“The kiln’s infill seems to represent a sample of residual material possibly associated with earlier medieval uses of the site, the glass being typically ecclesiastical and the human remains possibly originating from a disturbed nearby burial ground.”

When fully operational the kiln would have had two opposing projecting flues, roofed with stone lintels, through which air entered the kiln. The pit had a stone flagged base and is lined with a revetment wall constructed of re-used dressed limestone blocks (probably cannibalised from an earlier medieval structure) and cobbles.

Pottery recovered from the kilns fill dates its abandonment to the mid 16th-century. Other finds from within the infill include architectural masonry, ceramic tiles, decorated window glass and a selection of lead and iron roof fittings. A small amount of animal and human bone was also recovered.

The report also refers to historical records showing the site was the possible location of the 7th-century ‘Scotch Monastery’ just 150m to the north-east of the present Minster. Findings of walls, sculptured stones and 9th-century Anglo-Saxon coins in this part of the town are also referred to in the report.

Further archaeological investigations are proposed as part of the demolition and construction phases of the development work.
Project Manager for Home, Gerald Hemingway, explains: “Home were obliged through the planning process to undertake a thorough and comprehensive Archaeological Survey as part of the development of the site. Ripon has an incredible historical background and to find such a structure on site was fantastic, better than anything I have seen on TimeTeam.

“Home are obliged and willing to keep the development on hold until such time as the Archeologists have agreed the level of protection works required to preserve the kiln. The development of much needed homes will go ahead once we have a full agreement in place from the experts.”