Library

The Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) undertook archaeological monitoring of works to alleviate the flooding of parkland to the east of the Barn and Stable yard complex within the grounds of Audley End House, Essex, between the 18th and 25th June 2013. No archaeological remains or artefacts predating the late post-medieval period were observed.

The Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) undertook archaeological evaluation of land at 8 Montreal Road, Cambridge, in advance of construction work at the site. Three trenches were dug but no archaeological remains were observed in any of them

The Cambridge Archaeological Unit has been commissioned by
Walsingham Planning on behalf of Whitbread to carry out an
archaeological desk based assessment of the proposed site of a
Premier Inn on Victoria Road in Chelmsford, Essex (TL 70709 07118).
The assessment is being undertaken in order to define the potential for survival of sub-surface archaeology on the site, given the known background of historical and archaeological interest within the surrounding area. The Proposed Development Area (PDA) is currently a car park and covers approximately 2118 square metres. It is bounded to the northwest by Victoria Road and the railway line, to the east by buildings fronting on to Victoria Road (currently under redevelopment), to the south by Victoria House and the Rendezvous public house.

This archaeological desk based assessment was commissioned by Estates Management on behalf of the University of Cambridge to assess the potential impact of proposed works within the New Museums Site (TL 4495 5825). Set within the historic city centre the site is the location of a former Augustinian Friary, The Perse School, the first University Botanic Gardens and the original Cavendish Laboratories. Medieval to early 20th century archaeology is known to exist within the study site�s boundary. This consists primarily of the Medieval King�s Ditch (known to bisect the site and identified at least once during building works) and the aforementioned friary. The site is also located immediately to the west of the previously unknown Late Saxon and early Medieval settlement features found during excavations ahead of the construction of the Grand Arcade shopping complex.

This archaeological Desk-Based Assessment (DBA) was commissioned by R&R Design. The DBA is the first stage of archaeological investigation to determine the potential for archaeological remains within the Proposed Development Area (PDA) and assess the likely impact of the development upon those remains. The PDA is situated immediately north of the Three Blackbirds pub in Ditton Green, Woodditton (centred TL 65900 58178). Examination of the archaeological, historical and cartographic evidence shows the PDA to be located toward the centre of the settlement, which developed during the early Medieval period along Ditton Green road. The pub itself and many of the surrounding extant residential properties were built during the 17th-18th centuries and many are Grade II listed buildings. The most significant archaeological and historical evidence pertains to the Late Saxon origins and subsequent Medieval development of the settlement at Ditton Green.

A trench-based evaluation, consisting of three trenches covering a combined area of 70.7 square metres, was conducted at the Judge Business School site. The earliest feature to be encountered comprised a substantial - though undated - linear, which may have formed part of an enclosure. This was subsequently overlain by a series of regular west-southwest to east-northeast aligned inhumation burials, laid out in discernible rows. Stratigraphic evidence indicates that this cemetery is 14th century or earlier in origin. It was therefore most probably associated with the medieval proprietary chapel of St. Edmund, which is known to have been situated in this general vicinity. In 1290 the chapel was alienated to the Gilbertines and became the Priory of St. Edmund, which served a collegiate function for brethren of the Order who were studying at the newly-founded University of Cambridge. Burials may also have continued during this period. Although a small number of non-sepulchral features of medieval date were identified during the evaluation, their quantity was not commensurate with long-lived domestic occupation. Instead, it appears most likely that the trenches were located within the former monastic precinct. The priory was dissolved in 1538 and the area returned to secular use, although no archaeological features pertaining to this period were identified. Subsequently, however, in the 1760s, Addenbrooke's Hospital was established at the site. Concomitant with its construction a series of gravel quarries were excavated, disturbing the earlier horizon of burials, and a long-lived sequence of landscaping deposits was formed.

This archaeological desk based assessment was commissioned by Interserve Construction Ltd to assess the potential impact on any surviving archaeology of a proposed development at the Citylife House (Howard Mallett) site, Sturton Street, Cambridge (centred TL 4629 5869). Located to the east of the historic city centre, assessment of the archaeological, historical, aerial and cartographic evidence shows the site to be located within an area that was largely rural in character until the suburban expansion around Cambridge in the 18th and 19th centuries. Although within an area of known historical and architectural significance, dating from the 12th century AD to the present date, the known historical change in land use and building configuration adjacent to and including the PDA would indicate a low probability of surviving archaeology being encountered that predates the 19th century.

This archaeological desktop assessment was requested by Bidwells to assess the likely impact of the development of a 22.6ha site at Quinton Hill Farm, Waltham Abbey, Essex (centred OS TQ 3907 9960) on any potential archaeological remains. Evaluation of the archaeological, historical and cartographic evidence shows the proposed development area is located in an area of known prehistoric and Romano- British activity, Medieval settlement, woodland and adjacent to a former Ministry of Defence research establishment. Waltham Abbey, a scheduled ancient monument is located c. 1km northwest of the proposed development sit. Currently, the proposed development area consists of agricultural land.

Cambridge Archaeological Unit undertook a trenched evaluation on land to the north of Cambridge Airport, Fen Ditton, Cambridge, prior to the proposed redevelopment of this area. A limited amount of archaeology was identified within the western half of the PDA, which included a metalled Iron Age trackway and several track-side ditches. Within the eastern half of the PDA however, significant archaeological remains were identified including an area of probable early prehistoric activity; a concentration of Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age ditches; and a small Late Iron Age/Early Roman settlement.

Following geophysical and aerial survey a programme of 700m of evaluation trenching identified prehistoric ditches and postholes that correspond with cropmarks illustrating a coaxial system of ditched field allotment of a probable prehistoric date. This was confined predominantly to the western third of the proposed development area, and with only minimal expression having undergone significant post-Medieval truncation through experimental agriculture. A palaeochannel was identified through magnetometry, and was shown to predate human activity.

On 13th May 2013 a photographic survey of the then current state of 3 and 4 St. Edward�s Passage, Cambridge, was carried out prior to the commencement of refurbishment work as part of a redesign of the Cambridge Arts Theatre. This work is a component of a larger scheme of reorganization of the space for the theatre. The wider scheme has a condition for archaeological works, but the smaller scale works did not involve impact in those areas identified as requiring archaeological input. Rather this work has been carried out as part of the Listed Building and Planning Consent and was defined following discussion with the Building Conservation Team at Cambridge City Council. This work is intended to address condition 13 of the planning consent relating to approval 10/1260/FUL and 10/1261/LBC, 8 Feb 2011.

Following walkover survey and finds retrieval, six archaeological evaluation trenches were opened within 0.93ha of land at Hollyhouse Farm, Chatteris, in which two small and truncated sub-circular features were identified. Both are of unknown date; however, later Bronze Age worked flint was collected during walkover survey, and mid-20th century farm buildings are known from within the proposed development area.