During excavations at Balkerne Lane in 1973-6 (ECC332), an area of cultivated ground was discovered. These 'allotments' consisted of a 0.5m thick layer of topsoil which was cultivated over a long period of time at the expense of the underlying building remains (MCC547 and MCC606). The allotments were probably laid out following the demolition of MCC606 at the time when the latest town ditch (MCC659) was dug.

In c.275 a large quantity of sand, soil and occupation debris was added to the site (perhaps derived from a widening of the town ditch ) which preserved the contours of the allotment beds. The type of plants grown in the beds remains unknown however.

A possible water tank was found within the allotments (MCC625) as was a timber-lined pit (see MCC473).<1>