Whitechapel Station (Crossrail XSH10)

Abstract

• Three evaluation trenches were opened at the Cambridge Heath worksite (located to the E of Brady Street, TQ 3486 8195), while watching briefs were conducted at both that site and the Essex Wharf worksite (on the N side of Durward Street, TQ 3461 8196). Natural Taplow terrace gravels were recorded at each borehole location between 3.25 and 4.90m below street level. In the extreme eastern edge of the gardens, waterlain deposits were recorded possibly from an undated ditch or paloechannel. Immediately to the north two phases of brick floor, possibly delineating yard surfaces and associated deposits were exposed in a starter pit. One particular context containing fine Chinese porcelain, a wig curler and imported German stoneware gives us a snapshot of daily life at the time. A subsequent borehole suggested that substantial brick foundations survived to a considerable depth in this area, most likely associated with 18th-19th century terraced buildings that had been levelled following World War II. Little in situ remains survived from the period when the gardens were in use as a (Quaker) burial ground, from the late 17th to 19th centuries. Only tentative evidence was recorded of in situ remains. Disarticulated human bone was documented in each intervention, generally in the higher deposits, implying that the remains had been well disturbed and subsequently redistributed across the site. Chalk and sandstone inclusions drilled from one borehole may have been from an in situ structure of unknown date, but are just as likely arbitrary inclusions. The majority of the deposits were dated by inclusions (ceramics and tobacco pipes) from the 18th-19th centuries, and were recorded within substantial levelling/ make up dumps. The watching brief demonstrated that there is extensive survival of low grade post medieval deposits across the site, the majority formed once the burial ground had gone into disuse. 18th-19th century domestic buildings survive at a shallow depth in the north of the gardens, as predicted through contemporary mapping. There is limited evidence of Victorian and latter disturbance, again supported by documentation that shows little change following the gardens establishment in the 19th century. The watching brief was part of a wider project investigated and recorded with this site code. At Durward Street Shaft (Essex Wharf worksite) the natural brickearth was cut by two undated ditches which may relate to the division of the area into planned plots for intensive agriculture as shown on Rocque's 18th century map. A circular brick-lined structure set into natural gravel is in the same position as a feature marked 'tank' on the 1873 Ordnance Survey map midway between the contemporary rail head and a superphosphate fertiliser works. It may relate to water supply for the former or water disposal for the latter. A part of the 19th century railway cutting retaining wall which had remained in use until the present day was recorded during demolition.