During excavations at Culver Street between 1981-2 and 1984-5 (ECC337), an open area utilised for cultivation was discovered overlying the site previously occupied by two barrack buildings (MCC756 and MCC758) destroyed during the Boudican revolt. The plot was one of two such areas (see also MCC853) situated to the west of the former via principalis (MCC760) and separated by the narrow street (MCC764) which was retained after the Boudican revolt. A third plot was situated on the east side of the former via principalis. The plots were probably created by frequent digging over of the soil and perhaps the addition of manure and imported soil.

The plot appears to have been continuously cultivated and led to the loss of many of the deposits from the earlier buildings of the site. The base of the cultivated soil sealed what appeared to be spade marks. North of these was an east-west boundary ditch which seemed to mark the limits of the deeper cultivation. The ditch turned northwards at its east end. Several post holes nearby may have originated from fences. Two groups of pits could be distinguished from the area. Some of the early contexts on the site were found to contain fodder and faecal concretions indicating the presence of animals in the area at that time.<1>