Post-medieval Oxford - Oxford City Council

painting exposed during these works was a sheet of black (Oxford Archaeological
Unit 2001a). In April 2005, Oxford Archaeology carried out an archaeological
watching brief during the reduction of floor levels and the insertion of two lift shafts in
the college kitchen basement. The excavations revealed 11th-13th century walls,
subsequent phases of rebuilding, a stone built well and the remains of a brick
archway (Oxford Archaeology 2005). In 2010, a geophysical survey undertaken in
the Rector’s Garden identified the likely footprint of an earlier structure (Ainslie,
Ainslie and Oatley 2010).
Lincoln College
Several 17th century wall paintings depicting rustic scenes have been recorded on
the East Range of the Chapel Quadrangle (UAD 897). The 16th-18th century repairs
and alterations to the hall kitchen area and the 17th century cellars at Lincoln College
were subject to investigation 1997-2000 (Kamash et al. 2002).
Merton
Several building surveys have been carried out at the college including a survey of
the 17th century Staircase 5 in the Fellow’s Quad in 1994 (UAD 514). Samples were
also taken from Fellows Quad in 2004 (UAD 1686) for dendro-chronology dating
indicating a felling range of 1607-1609 for the timbers from the east range and 1607
for the south range. Timbers from the Fellow’s Quadrangle at Merton College have
been subject to tree ring dating, producing a date span from 1442 to 1608. The 1606
timbers can be linked with the documented construction date for the Fellows
Quadrangle in 1608-10 (Miles and Worthington 2006).
New College
An archaeological investigation was carried out in 1993 at the mound in the gardens
of New College (UAD 367). Mounds were an increasingly common feature in 16th
century formal gardens. Illustrations of the mound as depicted by Logan in 1675
indicate it followed the stepped pyramid design. Since its construction, the mound
has been topped with first a sundial and then a summerhouse before being
abandoned to ‘romantic’ planting. The investigations revealed the steps just below
the surface at the top of the mound, suggesting it had been lowered at some point,
however, no structural evidence was recorded (Bell 1993d: 4). Quantities of medieval
pottery recorded within the mound probably originated from the pre-college use of the
area as a waste dump. The garden also included a Bowling Green recorded on
Loggan’s map of 1675.
Oriel College
The post-medieval fabric has been subject to limited investigation. In 1970, a 17th
century wall painting was recorded north of the Porter’s Lodge (UAD 896).
Archaeological investigations in 1981 revealed a long narrow chamber built into the
foundations of the outside wall and chimney stack of the Provost’s Lodgings; finds
included an ointment pot (Durham 1982: 160). The chamber appears to have been
used as a cess pit in the late 17th century although that does not appear to have
been the reason for its original construction as it had only one opening into the main
house and was constructed above the flood level resulting in seepage (ibid.).
Environmental sampling indicated the household enjoyed a rich diet including hops,
figs, raspberries and walnuts (Wilson 1982: 179).
Excavations in 1989 examined the real tennis courts in Oriel Street (Durham 1991:
93). The former gardens became a tennis court in around 1572 and the evidence
suggests that this was then roofed in around 1600 when a drain that may have
collected run-off from a roof was recorded (ibid.). The tennis courts at Oriel appear to
have been originally built in timber and later replaced with ashlar. Excavations
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