Library
Publishing is a core part of the CAU's work so results from our excavations can be read and used by archaeologists, students, planners and the general public.
For over 30 years the CAU has published twenty monographs along with over 150 articles in academic journals. Many are available to download for free.
All of our site reports produced before October 2022 are available to download for free. Search for them by text or using the map. All our reports and our growing collection of digital archives are permanently accessible at the University of Cambridge's digital repository, Apollo.
Browse the results below
1101
Excavations at Hamhill, Somerset 2011
Slater, A. and Brittain, M. (2012). Excavations at Hamhill, Somerset 2011. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1101
This is the first of a three-year excavation over Britain's largest hillfort at Ham Hill, Somerset, in advance of a quarry extension for the extraction of Ham Stone. The project is led by the Cambridge Archaeological Unit and the Department of Archaeology at the University of Cardiff. Geophysical survey over the extraction area identified a large rectilinear enclosure, co-axial ditch system, areas of pitting and two circular anomalies, all confirmed during evaluation to be prehistoric in date. In 2011 the first phase of open area excavation targeted two swathes over the extraction area (Areas 1 and 4). This exposed features and deposits of Bronze Age to Medieval date, with surface (sub-soil) finds covering all periods from the later Mesolithic to the present. Main features include: Coaxial field system (Bronze Age or Early Iron Age?), including a fragmented stone macehead; a penannular gulley (diam. 12m), 66 pits (with two main clusters), part of the rectilinear enclosure with a southwest entrance, and various associated ditches forming a 'way' (Mid-Late Iron Age). Associated finds include 3 articulated or partially articulated skeletons in the enclosure ditch; 155 items of metalwork, with two coin silver staters, a lump of gold, an iron currency bar, tyre, latch lifter, bridle bit, spearhead, socketed knife and toothed saw; worked bone including a knife handle and cheekpiece; Glastonbury Ware pottery. Environmental finds included quantities of black mustard grain. Later ditches were of a possible ?Medieval date.
1102
Fifty Farm, Isleham, Cambridgeshire. An Archaeological Evaluation.
Collins, M. (2012). Fifty Farm, Isleham, Cambridgeshire. An Archaeological Evaluation.. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1102
Cambridge Archaeological Unit undertook an archaeological evaluation at Fifty Farm, Isleham, Cambridgeshire between the 2nd and 6th July 2012. Several worked flints and pieces of burnt flint were recovered during field-walking, however within the seven trenches only natural and modern features were identified, although a buried soil was present towards the southern part of the site.
1103
Archaeological Monitoring and Recording at the Old Bishop's Palace, Ely.
Roberts, H. (2012). Archaeological Monitoring and Recording at the Old Bishop's Palace, Ely.. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1103
On the 2nd of December 2010 and between the of1st November 2011 and the 30th of April 2012 a programme of archaeological monitoring and recording was carried out at the Old Bishop's Palace, Ely, a Grade I listed building. The program was focused on monitored below ground excavations during renovation work however the opportunity was also taken to record significant features revealed in the standing building. Much of the work did not impact significantly upon below ground archaeological deposits but medieval/early post-medieval walls and rubbish pits were discovered in Courtyard 1.
1104
Excavations at Barleycroft Farm, 2012
Evans, C. and Tabor, J. (2012). Excavations at Barleycroft Farm, 2012. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1104
An excavation undertaken in order to provide additional space for gravel storage at Hanson's Needingworth Quarry Plant Site revealed the remains of a Middle-later Iron Age enclosed settlement. The site had previously been preserved in situ following identication by trial trench evaluation in 1995. Relatively deep deposits of alluvial overburden afforded the survival of buried soils and upstanding banks either side of the enclosure ditch and the settlement on the whole was very well preserved. A total of 19 Iron Age structures - largely roundhouses - which probably spanned up to 400 years of settlement were recorded alongside features including pits, postholes and in situ hearth features. Evidence of pre-Iron Age occupation of the site comprised three Neolithic pits and two Early Bronze Age pits as well as the remains of a pre-settlement field system, which is thought to date to the MIddle or Late Bronze Age.
1105
Archaeological Investigations at 224 Marsh Road, Luton.
Webb, D. (2012). Archaeological Investigations at 224 Marsh Road, Luton.. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1105
The Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) undertook the archaeological monitoring of the preparatory works ahead of proposed redevelopment work at 224 Marsh Road, Luton. No archaeological features or structures were encountered during the work.
1106
An Archaeological Excavation at Roman and Saxon Court, Coneygree Road, Stanground
Patten, R. (2012). An Archaeological Excavation at Roman and Saxon Court, Coneygree Road, Stanground. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1106
From 11th to 29th June 2012 an archaeological excavation was undertaken at Roman and Saxon Court, Stanground (centred on TL 20775 97018) extending over c. 0.21ha. The work was commissioned by Davis Langdon on behalf of Cross Keys Homes in response to a request from the Peterborough City Council Archaeological Service (PCCAS). The site was situated within close proximity to a series of known Roman pottery kilns and the archaeological features recorded appeared to represent the outer limits of this activity. Two small funerary enclosures were excavated, a small circular barrow and a square barrow. A sub-rectangular pit was situated within the circular barrow, and although devoid of any skeletal remains, was most likely the remnant of a grave. Surrounding this barrow were a group of four discrete features that may have been associated. A single cremation was found within the square enclosure that along with the human bone contained a fragment of worked bone. Set to one side of the cremation was a small pile of animal bone, a pig mandible. Attached to the enclosure was a portion of a second, open enclosure of indeterminate use. With no direct association to either of the funerary monuments, a series of postholes and pits were recorded throughout the excavated area. The final phase of archaeological activity prior to the building of homes in the 20th century was a series of post-Medieval furrows.
1107
Langtoft Quarry Lincolnshire: Further Excavations at the Freeman Land
Hogan, S. (2012). Langtoft Quarry Lincolnshire: Further Excavations at the Freeman Land. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1107
The final 0.98ha of the Freeman Land quarry site at Langtoft, Lincolnshire was stripped during May 2012. This area is the last phase within the Freeman Land site to be investigated. Only a handful of features were revealed within the area including a series of Bronze Age field system ditches, pits and a single pit-well. Two small pits representative of localised post-Medieval strip quarry activity were also exposed. The ditches are part of a larger network of Middle-Late Bronze Age field systems occupying the immediate vicinity, and with one exception, all have been exposed and investigated in previous phases of work in 2008, 2009 and 2011.
1108
Excavations at Neath Farm, Cherry Hinton 2012
Slater, A. (2012). Excavations at Neath Farm, Cherry Hinton 2012. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1108
Between and June 2012 Cambridge Archaeological Unit undertook a excavation within the footprint of Neath Farm business park, Cherry Hinton, Cambridge. Features of a Middle/ Late Saxon as well as Saxo-Norman and Medieval date demonstrate the development of this area of Cherry Hinton and compliments excavations carried out in the vicinity.
1109
The Music Room, Peterhouse College, Cambridge: An Archaeological Watching Brief
Cessford, C. (2012). The Music Room, Peterhouse College, Cambridge: An Archaeological Watching Brief. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1109
An archaeological watching brief was conducted by the Cambridge Archaeological Unit between 24th and 29th June 2010 at the Music Room, Peterhouse College, Cambridge, durring its conversion into student accomodation. A series of typically 0.55m wide trenches were excavated inside the building to depths of up to 1.2m by the contractors, the resulting sections were cleaned and recorded by the CAU.
1110
Land west of Fenland Way, Chatteris. An Archaeological Evaluation.
Tabor, J. (2012). Land west of Fenland Way, Chatteris. An Archaeological Evaluation.. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1110
A trial trench based archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) on land west of Fenland Way, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire (centred on TL 3881 8649) in June/July 2012. The proposed development area (PDA) comprises c. 8 ha either side of Fenton Lode/Twenty Foot Drain to the north of Honeysome Industrial Estate. A total of 30 archaeological features were recorded and while the majority of features were either undated or relate to post-medieval agriculture, a group of features in the east of the PDA represent a clear zone of Iron Age and Roman activity. The features, largely ditches and gullies are potentially settlement related, however, the low quantities of pottery and animal bone recovered suggest the site probably lay on the periphery of the main settlement foci. The remains appear to be confined to the east of the site, however, two undated ditches in the west of the site could potentially also be later prehistoric.
1008
Babraham Research Campus: Car Park Extension. An Evaluation Interim Assessment
Collins, M. (2011). Babraham Research Campus: Car Park Extension. An Evaluation Interim Assessment. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1008
Seven trenches totalling 100.3m in length were excavated within the southern half of the proposed Car Park Extension. Roman, medieval and modern phases of activity were identified which included a Roman boundary ditch and pit, a medieval well and a probable second well, and several modern wall foundations and areas of modern disturbance.
1009
Manor Farm, Old Wolverton, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. 2008-2010 Interim Report.
Hogan, S. (2011). Manor Farm, Old Wolverton, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. 2008-2010 Interim Report.. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1009
During 2007-2010, the Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) has undertaken a series of strip, map and sample exercises at Manor Farm, Old Wolverton, Milton Keynes. The 2007 season identified a large palaeochannel crossing the gravels in Phase 1. Two wooden posts within the channel were dated to the Late Mesolithic period, whilst a third post, driven through the overlying alluvial layers returned a Saxon date. A single prealluvial ditch and a partial brushwood trackway located within the alluvial layers were also excavated (CAU Report 844, 2008). During 2008-2010, Phases 3 and 4 were stripped, exposing an extensive prehistoric landscape across the gravel terraces, sealed by later alluvial layers. The earliest activity was represented by an in situ deposit of Upper Palaeolithic flints, whilst Late Mesolithic flints across the site attest to transient activity during this time. The partial remains of three cursus monuments and a complete hengiform demonstrate the use of landscape as a ritual space during the Neolithic. Partial Bronze Age field systems and settlement activity were also recorded across the site. Roman activity on site was represented by ditches, quarry pits and two limestone trackways, cut from, or contained within the alluvial layers. A braided channel system, probably active from the Roman period onwards, was also investigated at the southern end of the site.
