PRN 13862 Occupation deposits spanning the 13th to 17th centuries were encountered during a watching brief carried out at the former Haven Cinema site, to the east of previous investigations. The earliest non-natural deposits consist of soil development dating to the 13th century or earlier, possibly representing an attempt to raise ground levels above any flooding of the nearby river Witham. Possible structural remains, in the form of an intact timber post, were also noted during this phase. The generally low density of remains from this phase suggests that this area was not densely settled during the 12th-13th century. The next phase of occupation, during the 13th-15th century, represents the majority of the recorded contexts from the site. A boundary or division aligned east-west across the area suggests that the site may have been part of the toft of properties fronting South Square. By the late 14th-15th century this division is no longer visible, which may indicate that the site was now part of the tenements that fronted Duchfield Lane to the north or associated with the medieval buildings identified during the investigations immediately to the east of this site (see PRN 13539). A large quantity of pottery and ceramic building material (brick and tile) relating to this phase of occupation was recovered, though no indications of pottery production at the site were found. The pottery included locally produced wares as well as wares from Yorkshire, Nottingham and London. Continental wares, including French, German and Dutch types, were also present indicating international trade. These imports also suggest that the occupants of the site were of above average status. The quantity of brick present also suggests the presence of relatively high status brick building. Animal and fish bone and mollusc shells were also recovered and environmental sampling was carried out. Early post medieval remains consist of brick floors and wall foundations, probably representing a cellar. The brick is of a medieval or post medieval type and it is possible that these remains could also be medieval in orgin. There is a paucity of later post medieval remains, probably due to their destruction during the construction and demolition of the cinema. {1}{2}