Library

Archaeological investigations were undertaken by the Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) at AstraZeneca�s New Cambridge Site (NCS) at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge. Work was carried out over the course of eight months between July 2014 and early March 2015 and comprised excavations in two separate development areas, the South Plot and the North Plot. An area totalling 4.94ha was stripped revealing archaeology ranging in date from the Early Neolithic through to the late Roman period and dominated by settlement remains dating to the Middle Bronze Age (South Plot) and the 1st-4th centuries AD (North Plot). The main focus of the excavation within the South Plot was a series of Middle Bronze Age enclosures identified previously through aerial photographs, geophysics and trial trenching. Three main phases of Middle Bronze Age activity were recorded, these comprised i) an �early� field system ii) a series of three multi-ditched enclosures with associated settlement activity and iii) two �late� boundary ditches. The three settlement enclosures (Enclosures A-C) clearly represent significant Middle BronzeAge occupation and excavations yielded substantial finds assemblages including important assemblages of pottery and animal bone; other finds included bronze metalwork, worked bone and human remains. The enclosures and settlement remains represent an important archaeological site, which when considered alongside other contemporary sites in the area (eg. Clay Farm and the Laboratory for Molecular Biology Site), forms part of an important and extensive prehistoric landscape. Evidence of Early and Middle Iron Age activity was also recorded on the South Plot in the form of an Early Iron Age watering hole and Middle Iron Age settlement remains. The Early Iron Age watering hole yielded finds including pottery and animal bone and was associated with a number of smaller pits and a spread of burnt stone. The Middle Iron Age features included seven distinct pit groups � one of which formed a �pit alignment� orientated on an earlier Middle Bronze Age boundary ditch � and a roundhouse gully. Interestingly, part of the Middle Iron Age settlement was apparently deliberately located within the remnant earthworks of Middle Bronze Age Enclosure A. The North Plot�s archaeology comprised a dense pattern of boundary ditches and enclosures interspersed with 1st-4th century settlement features including structural remains, wells and pits. The archaeology can be divided broadly into i) features associated with an �early� grid-like system of ditches potentially dating to the late 1st- 2nd century, and ii) those associated with a �later� series of enclosures dating to the 2nd-4th centuries. Two cemeteries were also excavated; the first comprised three 1st- 2nd century cremation burials in the west of the site, while the second contained five 4th century inhumation burials in the east. The site yielded substantial finds assemblages including pottery, animal bone, worked stone, metalwork and a total of 78 Roman coins.

Four phases of archaeological investigations conducted by the Cambridge Archaeological Unit at Baston No.1 Quarry in south Lincolnshire during 2014-15 revealed considerable activity dating from the Early Bronze Age to the Early Iron Age. The investigation area covered 148,643sqm (14.8ha). No pre-Early Bronze Age activity was identified. Associated with Collard Urn pottery, Early Bronze Age pits and postholes were found across a linear swathe of features. Two small post-defined structures were assigned to this phase, with one bearing sherds of Collard Urn pottery. A large oval palisaded enclosure was also assigned to this phase on account of a provisional radiocarbon determination from a charcoal sample dated to the sixteenth century BC. This date may be aligned with the latest use of Collard Urn, and the architecture of the palisade is unparalleled for this period. Its use, whilst not beyond question, may be connected to ceremonial and funerary activities. The landscape usage was fundamentally realigned during the Middle Bronze Age with Deverel-Rimbury ware being the dominant potting tradition. This comprised extensive coaxial ditched field boundaries superseded by a larger series of interrupted ditches in a curvilinear system. Although perhaps first established with the coaxial field system, the curvilinear ditched system was diverted around an existing ring ditch and cremation cemetery, affording a stand-off in excess of 140m. The south side of this was formed of a droveway. To the east of this, on the landscape�s fen-side, were at least twelve post-defined circular and rectangular structures � two with adjoining fencelines � with additional four- and six- post structures. In association with these, though not always in direct proximity, were pits and postholes with a number of large pit wells. The latter of these contained waterlogged deposits that included worked timbers. Three clusters of features were each arranged around what may be regarded as �working areas�, within which material deposits included burnt stone, animal bone and briquetage. Three pairs of linear pits or �tanks� may have been used in processes of salt production and retting. A single crouched human burial was recorded, with three cow burials, although the dating of these is unconfirmed. Post-Deverel-Rimbury pottery was recovered from upper fills of only a few earlier features, with just one small pit securely assigned to this later Bronze Age phase. The Middle Bronze Age field system may still have existed via hedgerows, but increased saline conditions appear to have attracted less direct activity than in previous phases. Post-Medieval features represent the only post-Bronze Age activity; these relating to an agricultural landscape.

This archaeological desk based assessment was commissioned by
Magdalene College to assess the potential for the survival of archaeological features at the proposed new college Library Site (TL 44686 59089). Located on the far side of the river from the historic city centre the proposed development area is situated between known areas of archaeological activity spanning the prehistoric to post-Medieval periods, with important Roman archaeology found within the College grounds and Roman, Saxon and medieval remains surrounding the area

This report is submitted in support of a planning application for the development of two new mixed-use buildings on Station Road within the CB1 area of Cambridge.

This archaeological desk based assessment was commissioned by Savills on behalf of St John�s College to assess the potential impact of a proposed development area (PDA) of c. 4.6ha site at Grange Farm, (TL 42775 58501). Located south of the West Cambridge site and between the M11, Barton Road and the University Sports Ground, the PDA is irregular in shape. A quantity of Roman pottery has been found within the PDA, with archaeological features from the wider landscape including settlement related activity dating from the Bronze Age to the Medieval period. A Roman road, oriented northeast-southwest, runs along the extreme south-eastern boundary of the PDA, with the southern boundary denoted by the regularised Medieval Edwin�s Ditch. Evidence of ridge and furrow agriculture is present throughout the PDA and wider environs.

Following on from two earlier phases of watching brief, eleven trenches were investigated within the New Court of Trinity College, Cambridge. A borehole survey was also undertaken in relation to a former canalised branch of the Cam, which now lies sealed beneath the central court. One trench in particular encountered a well-preserved archaeological sequence relating to Flaxhythe; a landing stage associated with Cambridge's important medieval waterfront district. Here, during the 12th century a channel measuring over 2m in width was established. This probably acted as leat into which shallowdrafted boats could be drawn. By the end of the 13th century the channel went out of use and was backfilled. Then, in the early 14th century, a metalled laneway flanked by two gullies was established, directly overlying the former channel. This latter feature is likely to have been associated with Garret Hostel, which was established c. 1317-29, and probably represents a resumption of the earlier pattern of waterfront-related activity. During the 15th century, however, the laneway itself went out of use and was sealed beneath an extensive horticultural deposit. Also encountered at the site were reused masonry footings associated with two 17th-century buildings; these were ancillary structures constructed by Trinity College, which were demolished when New Court was constructed in 1823-25.

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) at the proposed site of a two storey extension and infilling of the undercroft for Anglia Ruskin University at Compass House, East Road, Cambridge. The fieldwork comprised trial trenching, which revealed Post-Medieval quarrying features and modern disturbance relating to the construction of the extant buildings.

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) at the proposed site of a new office building at Bidwells, Maris Lane, Cambridge. The fieldwork comprised a single trial trench, which revealed Post-Medieval features plus modern disturbance relating to the construction of the extant building.

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) at the proposed site of a residential development at Mere View, Yaxley. The fieldwork comprised 442.5m of trial trenching, which revealed a possible Medieval colluvium and modern disturbance relating to the construction and demolition of the industrial estate that formerly occupied the site.

Trial trench based archaeological evaluation and monitoring of geotechnical test pits was undertaken by the Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) at Newnham College located off Sidgwick Avenue, adjacent to the Strachey and Fawcett buildings, (TL 4410 5770) in August 2015.

A trial trench based archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) at Gretton School on the northern edge of Girton village off Manor Farm Road (TL 4241 6275) in September 2015. The only archaeological features recorded by the trial trenching comprise a shallow NW-SE ditch and a possible ditch terminus; the former is likely to be mid- to late Bronze Age in origin.

Archaeological monitoring of groundworks in advance of the construction of an extension to the south side of the Harston parish church comprised a building footing of 24sqm and a pipe trench of 74.3m across the present churchyard. Five unmarked burials were encountered at depths of between 0.6m and 0.8m, two of which on the south side of the church had been truncated by wall foundations comprised of clunch, flint and mortar. The stone walls formed an early phase of church architecture perhaps dating to the 15th century. Another wall foundation was not directly related to the early building but comprised of the same construction material which included a reused 12th � 14th century weathering mould. It is possible that a number of the graves belong to this earliest phase of the church. A coffined inhumation of an infant was found to have been truncated by a modern drain. Dating to 1914, details of the individual are recorded in County archives. Post-Medieval truncation of other areas of the investigation area was noted in the form of sunken outhouses.