The cobbles in the market place were relaid in the summer of 1965, an area 16ft x 6ft was excavated. There has been a build up of c 5ft from Med to modern times. The first dates probably to c 1300, the second perhaps to C16/ C17, and the 3rd (undated) for the cobbles now being relaid. The market place was kept reasonably clear of rubbish, although each layer of gravel became eventually dirty and uneven. A hole had been dug in the earliest layer to bury a collection of animal bones and pottery sherds. Finds in NWM. (1)
Several areas of cobbling along the south-west side and the eastern side of the excavation area were found lying 0.5m below the present ground level. These areas have been interpreted as one of the original surfaces of the medieval market place. Two phases, and episodes of repair, were evident. Numerous fragments of bone were found, along with sherds of Tudor green pottery, dating from the 15th century. (3)
The earliest phase of activity across the majority of the site was possibly late medieval and / or early post medieval, with a possible metalled surface in pit 9. Probable dumped or ground raising deposits across most of the site preceeded the laying of a surface comprising fragments of blue lias stone, interpreted as an earlier market surface, of post medieval or more recent date. (4)
See L8446 for E Med find, M3685 for Old White Hart, M3519 for market cross.

<1> EMAB eds, 1965, East Midlands Archaeological Bulletin, p 32 (Published document). SNT159.

<2> Thoroton Society, 1961, TTS, pp 10-18 (Published document). SNT375.

<3> TPAT, 1994, Report on the Archaeological Watching Brief at the Market Place, Newark (Unpublished document). SNT1942.

<4> CLAU, Nov 1999, The Market Square, Newark, Notts, Archaeological Watching Brief, p 1 (Unpublished document). SNT2175.