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Site record MPY88

Site name

Merton Priory Domestic Range

Site location

Merantun Way, SW19

Borough

Merton

Year

1988

Greater London SMR No.

030376

Location

Latitude: 51.4166667 Longitude: -0.1793572

National Grid Ref.

TQ26707020

Organisation

DGLA (SW)

Type of fieldwork

excavation

Archaeological periods

Roman?, Medieval, Post-Medieval

Summary

Excavation in 1988 on the N half of the church revealed substantial foundations along its entire 100m length. Four distinct phases of construction have been identified: the widening of the nave to form N and S aisles; the moving of the transepts further E; and the addition of a large quire and Lady Chapel. Also revealed was a later strengthening phase with large extension buttresses mainly constructed of reused architectural fragments of Reigate stone or Purbeck marble. To the N of the church an extensive lay cemetery of several hundred inhumations was excavated. Work was also carried out on areas affected by the construction of the Merton relief road (Merantun Way), bridging the already exposed chapter house, S aisle, cloister, canons' cemetery and NW corner of the infirmary building. Investigation of the S area of the site uncovered large areas of the infirmary and domestic buildings, set around a possible infirmary cloister. A continuation of the excavations in 1990 concentrated on the site of the infirmary and domestic ranges, and on the outlying areas to the S and E of the main monastic complex. A large Reigate stone drainage system was excavated to the SE of the infirmary, and a wharf or slipway, associated with a channel to the S of the site, was also uncovered. Roman activity was demonstratedby the presence of a ditch in the infirmary cloister.

Source: Thompson, Alan, Westman, Andrew and Dyson, Tony (eds.) (1998). Archaeology in Greater London 1965 - 1990: a guide to records of excavations by the Museum of London. The Archaeological Gazetteer Series, Volume 2. London: Museum of London. ISBN 0-904818-80-2.

Related sites:

None linked

No. of Related publications:

1 publication(s).

The Augustinian priory of St Mary Merton, Surrey: Excavations 1976-90 MoLAS Monograph 34 (2007). Miller, P and Saxby D (Site code: MPY76; MPY83; MPY86; MPY88, book). Published by Museum of London Archaeology Service