Trent & Peak Archaeology / The University of Nottingham

17 Castle Gate  - cave CE11 Description - CE11 17 Castle Gate   Two main chambers connected to rock-cut stairs by small rock-cut chamber. 001 Wine cellar. Rock-cut chamber 5mx2m, vaulted rock ceiling 2.5m high. Prominent toolmarking across much of cave. Rectangular alcove 001a in E wall 2m wide x1m deep x2m high, with brick partitions and stone shelves as wine bins. Shaft cut in ceiling at N end (001b) then brick vaulted at 5m high, exits to cellar level via corroded unsafe fixed iron ladder. W wall has brick partitions and stone shelves floor-ceiling 1m deep. Behind these are two rock-cut arches now bricked up. 001c 2.1m wide and to ceiling, starts 0.3m above modern floor level. 2 ¼ - 2 3/8" brick. 001d 2m wide floor to ceiling similar brick. Bricks different to shelf partitions. S wall pierced by rock-cut arch 001e 1m wide by 3m high, bricked up with 2 ¼" brick rougher than 001c and 001d. Shaft (001f) cut in ceiling at S end to brick vaulting (and iron pipes) at 4m high. Alan Trease pers. comm.: Brick wallings in west wall investigated, both go under property to W of 17 Castle Gate. Filled entirely with rubble. Exit to 002 via neat rock-cut doorway 001g 1.2m x 2.2m . 002 Subrectangular chamber 4mx3m, rock-vaulted ceiling slightly arched 2m high. Brick paved floor. Prominent toolmarking across much of cave. Rock-cut archway into 001 now partially bricked and pierced with iron gate. Low rock thrall on S wall 0.6m deep, 0.35m high. Brick thrall on arched piers on N and E walls, 0.65m deep, 0.5m high. Ceiling shows some evidence of past collapse but nothing recent. Small vertical borehole in centre of ceiling. Broad rock arch doglegs into 003. 003 small rock-cut chamber 2.2x2.3m, floor a continuation of brickwork in 002. Regular toolmarking. Rock ceiling arches to 2.5m then brick vault springing from 003a. 003a brick pillar / walling in NE corner of 003, springing brick vault and presumably supporting stairs. 2 ¼ - 2 3/8" bricks. 004 rock-cut stairs. Low rock-vaulted passage 2m long, 1m wide, 1.8m high turns 180° apsidal ended to 14 brick steps up to cellar level. Tooled sandstone at 0.1m below tiled cellar floor then brick.   001 002 003 004 001a 001c 001d 001e