Library

A trial trench based archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) at the Anglia Ruskin sports facility to the north of Hotel Felix, Howes Close, Cambridge (TL 4330 6070) in June 2014. The only archaeological features recorded within the proposed development area comprised the remains of ridge and furrow cultivation, which is likely to be medieval in origin and the archaeological potential of the site is considered to be low.

The results of the final of three seasons� excavations by the Cambridge Archaeological Unit and Cardiff University at Ham Hill, Stoke-sub-Hamdon, Somerset are reported. Fieldwork in the summer of 2013 completed the excavation of the ditch to a large rectilinear enclosure, as well as two roundhouse eavesdrip-gullies and a cluster of pits outside of the enclosure, all dated to the Middle to Late Iron Age. The enclosure ditch was intensively examined and found to contain the remains of both semi-articulated and disarticulated human and animal bodies. These appear to have been deposited both before and during the deliberate levelling of the enclosure�s inner bank, which partially filled the ditch. (An isotope study of a sample of the human bone assemblage concludes that the individuals were predominantly local to Ham Hill, except for one that may have had Continental origins.) Additional episodes of ditch infilling were accompanied with discrete deposits of carbonised roots/tubers and grains; both of these main phases of deposition were associated with Glastonbury Ware pottery. No features internal to the enclosure have been assigned to the period of its use and its interior appears to have essentially then been �empty�. The two eavesdrip-gullies were situated to the north of the enclosure. None of their internal features could be assigned to their use; however, the entrance to one of these structures included two postholes within its gully terminals. A cluster of six shallow pits was located to the south of one of the structures. These contained very few artefacts, but two had each received a crouched adult burial. Four pits, isolated from the structures and main pit group, contained significant quantities of pottery, metalwork and clay loomweights. Along with the continuation of the Early to Middle Bronze Age fieldsystem, two Neolithic pit groups were examined and a possible third group was also identified. These contained pottery and worked flint variously dated to the Early and Late Neolithic, and they represent the first securely dated features of this period at Ham Hill. Trench 4 was newly opened along the southern arm of the ramparts, and an extension of Trench 2 on the north spur of the hill was also conducted. It was determined in Trench 4 that the ramparts had been severely truncated along its frontage, with extensive burrowing also impacting upon its interior rear-side deposits. Pottery dated the final use of the rampart there to no later than the earliest Middle Iron Age. A segmented ditch, sealed by the rampart, may be the continuation of a possible causewayed enclosure previously identified in Trenches 1 and 3, and for which a Neolithic date has been postulated. The deposits in Trench 2 proved to be complex, with four main phases of rampart construction attested to. Excavation there confirmed the presence of a Late Iron Age eastern entranceway into the hillfort; the sequence also revealed that an earlier, Middle Iron Age entranceway had subsequently been blocked but was later reinstated. Modified and disarticulated human remains were once again recovered from the later phases of usage. Owing to the rampart�s complexity, it was not possible to bottom the trench and examine the Early Iron Age rampart in detail.

Excavations between April and June 2014 covering 0.47 ha. undertaken as part of the archaeological investigations in advance of the North West Cambridge development revealed remains of a medieval rural settlement, which can be identified as the document settlement of Howes. Occupation began c. 1150-1210 and consisted of a series of square or sub-square ditched enclosures fronting onto Huntingdon Road. The settlement appears to have increased in size gradually until around the mid/late 14th century, before declining from the early/mid-15th century onwards. Occupation ceased in the early/mid-16th century, although agricultural activity continued and the site was later occupied by the University Farm in the early 20th century. The archaeological evidence is atypical of medieval rural settlements in South Cambridgeshire in a number of respects. The settlement occupies an unusual location, at a point in the landscape where four parishes meet, and is a late addition to the medieval settlement pattern. The ceramics are dominated by Huntingdonshire Fen Sandy ware, which is not usually found in significant quantities in and around Cambridge, and there is an atypical preponderance of mussel shells compared to oyster shell. The animal bone assemblage is dominated by horse, with signs of butchery and carnivore gnawing suggesting that it may have been fed to dogs. It is possible that some of the atypical elements of the site relate to Howes as a roadside settlement potentially playing a specialised role with regard to travellers. Alternatively the horse bone may relate to a kennel or similar establishment, as documentary sources attest to hunting in the immediate vicinity.

This archaeological desk based assessment was commissioned by Girton College to assess the potential impact of a proposed development located to the rear of the college (TL 42475 61066). Located to the northwest of the historic centre of Cambridge, the proposed development area is situated adjacent to zones of known significant archaeology, with an Anglo-Saxon cemetery located to the south of the college�s main building and the site of the former Medieval Howes Close settlement is located less than 0.7km to the southeast of the proposed development. Recent excavations to the east of the study area and south of Huntingdon Road have revealed extensive prehistoric, Roman and Medieval activity.

On 14th July 2014 an archaeological evaluation was undertaken on land adjacent to the Great Wilbraham Chapel in advance of the construction of a dwelling and garage. Two adjoining trenches (10m and 5m long) were dug at right angles to one another. Within both the natural chalk was reached at between 0.51m and 0.65m depth, but just one archaeological feature, a late postmedieval NW-SE trending flat-bottomed ditch was encountered, the latter most likely an 18th- 19th century boundary which ran parallel to the road, but pre-dated the construction of the chapel (in 1833). No traces of earlier archaeology were found.

This archaeological desk based assessment was commissioned by Terence O�Rouke Ltd on behalf of the Marshall Group to assess the potential impact of a proposed development on c. 5.9ha of land north of Cherry Hinton (TL 49170 57513). Evaluation of the archaeological, historical and cartographic evidence shows the proposed development area to be located within an area of known archaeological finds and features dating from the prehistoric period to the post-Medieval period and close to the Anglo-Saxon cemetery and early Medieval settlement of Cherry Hinton. Geophysical survey of the proposed development area revealed the presence of at least one prehistoric ring ditch and probable later prehistoric enclosures and other potential archaeological features.

This archaeological desk based assessment was commissioned by Phelan Architects to assess the potential impact of a proposed development of new library and teaching facilities at Westcott House, Cambridge (TL 4513 5874). Evaluation of selected archaeological, historical and cartographic evidence shows the proposed development area (PDA) to be located within an area of rich historical and architectural significance, dating from the Iron Age to the present day. There exists a reasonable possibility of encountering artefacts and features pre-dating and contemporary to former and current buildings and also relating to known archaeological features found immediately west of Westcott House.

This archaeological desk based assessment was commissioned on behalf of Blackleys Quarry, Great Leighs, Essex (TL 731 189), to assess the potential impact of an extension to the existing quarry within a proposed development area (PDA) of 56.4 ha. The following takes into account a study area of 3.0km radius in relation to the PDA. Set within arable farmland on London Clay, the PDA lies upon a topographic vantage point that overlooks the gravel valleys of the River Ter to the south and the River Brain to the north. These valleys are known for their prehistoric to Medieval archaeology, with 20th century defences also distributed across the rural landscape. The PDA lies almost adjacent to an established Roman road; however, it is also situated upon a clayland that has not yielded significant archaeological deposits, and an isolated soilmark identified through aerial survey within the Great Leighs Racecourse adjacent to the PDA has proven to be of a natural or recent origin. Whilst considered to be of a low archaeological potential, it is within this framework of previous and current land use and known archaeology that further evidence of past human activity is likely to be encountered within the PDA, especially those areas that have remained largely undisturbed by building foundations and services.

An Archaeological 'Strip, Map and Sample' Excavation was carried out at Mayton Wood, Buxton with Lammas, Norfolk, between 22nd May to the 17th June 2014 by the Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU). It was commissioned by Frimstone Ltd in response to a brief set out by Norfolk County Council (Gurney 2004). The Development Area (DA) lies to the southeast of Buxton, 11.1km north of the centre of Norwich at NGR 624170/ 321440 and more specifically this phase of excavation at NGR 624250/321475 (Fig.1). The aim of the excavation was to determine the presence/absence and character of archaeological remains within the DA and add to the activity identified within the previous phases of excavation. The programme of works followed on from a field survey (Beadsmoore, E. and Hall, A. 2003) and six previous phases of excavation (Middleton, E. 2013, Murrell, K. 2010, Hutton, J. 2008, Beadsmoore, E. 2007, Bishop, B. 2005 and Patten , R. 2004). Previous excavations identified prehistoric, Romano-British, Middle Saxon, Medieval and post-Medieval activity. This excavation revealed a terminus of a Romano-British linear, Middle Saxon Pits, and a continuation of a post-Medieval northwest/southeast furrow. A total of eighteen features were revealed in this phase of excavation.

An archaeological watching brief was conducted at St. Catharine's College, Cambridge. This monitored works undertaken within the adjoining basements of the former Master's Lodge (1674-76) and the Ramsden Building (1757). Here, two test pits were excavated. In both instances, a limited number of medieval features were identified below the extant basement floor level. These features represent the last remaining vestiges of an initially 3m deep stratigraphic sequence.

Between March 2013 and February 2014 a significant phase of internal alteration work was carried out at Great Saint Mary's Church, Cambridge. This included improvement of office space, changes to the arrangement of the reception and shop area, repairs and improvements in the Verger's Vestry and boiler room, improvements to services and the addition of a new entrance screen at the west end. Archaeological monitoring was conducted of the below ground works, which were limited to the northwest corner of the church and in the Narthex. In addition a photographic record made of specific church features being either moved or removed during the works.

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) at Manor Farm to the east of Thriplow, Cambridgeshire. The fieldwork comprised trial trenching, which revealed a Roman field system and trackway complex associated with extensive settlement in the nearby environs, known from cropmarks (Palmer 2013) and previous fieldwork (Lucas 1993, Scarle 2010). An Iron Age component to the Roman settlement was also identified. A number of large periglacial hollows were investigated. However, they produced very few artefacts.