ULAS
University of Leicester Archaeological Services

Saxon St Margaret's site and Highcross Street

On the St. Margaret's baths site, and pre-dating the church of St. Peter was this Anglo-Saxon building (grubenhaus or SFB), with sunken floor and a series of stake-holes in the base.  This is one of the few buildings of this type found within the town walls, with evidence from the nearby Sanvey Gate excavations also producing other evidence for early Anglo Saxon structures.

The Anglo-Saxon period was also represented on the adjacent Highcross St site by two SFBs. These were found on opposite sides of the site. One of these can be seen in the picture to the right. In addition, a large post-built structure was discovered, perhaps a hall, cutting into a substantial deposit of that appeared to be Roman granite building rubble and tile.

To the north, the Sanvey Gate excavations recorded 30 sherds of Anglo-Saxon pottery, including four different pottery types from just one substantial posthole. This was probably part of a timber building. During the Shires I excavations in 1988-9 this fine bone comb was recovered. This type of comb originated in the middle Rhine region on the continent, adding to evidence for Saxon settlers in this part of the town.

Read more about St Margaret's or Highcross St in Projects.