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 earlier buildings (MCC778 and MCC787) the later of which had been badly damaged by the cultivation. The plot was situated to the east of the former via principalis (MCC760) which separated it from two similar plots to the west (see MCC827 and MCC853). The eastern extent of the cultivation is obscure but existence of Roman buildings elsewhere suggests that only the south-west quarter of Insula 35 was involved. The western limit of the cultivation was indicated by two shallow and parallel ditches which turned eastwards as a single ditch.

The plots were probably created by frequent digging over of the soil and perhaps the addition of manure and imported soil. The presence of cultivation was indicated primarily by a 0.8m deep layer of well-mixed loam which underlay the later 'dark earth' and sealed the truncated remains of the earlier buildings. Associated with the soil and supporting its interpretation as cultivation were a granary building (MCC925), corn-drying oven (MCC926) and ploughshare.

Various features dug into the cultivated area included pits, postholes, and post pits, some of which may have belonged to a small post-built shed in the corner of the plot. Alternatively they may have been a sequence of fences or gates. Another significant group included waste from metal-working (see MCC773). Two baby burials (MCC1098 and MCC1100) were also recovered.<1>