Library

Cambridge Archaeological Unit undertook an archaeological evaluation on land at the NIAB HQ Site between the 1st and 2nd of November 2010. No archaeological activity was identified within any of the seven trenches, although two of them had been heavily truncated by greenhouses which formerly occupied part of the site.

Cambridge Archaeological Unit undertook an archaeological evaluation at Green End Industrial Estate, Gamlingay, between the 8th and 11th of November 2010. No archaeological activity was identified within any of the three excavated trenches and four test-pits, although there was evidence of significant truncation across parts of the site.

This archaeological desk top assessment was requested by Turnstone Estates to assess the potential for the survival of archaeological features and heritage assets on the site of the proposed development of the Old Fire Station Site, Household Waste Disposal Site and Recreation Ground, St Neots, Cambridgeshire. Buildings are recorded in the western half of the site dating from the mid 18th century to the present day. Evidence of metalworking, settlement and burial activity has been identified during previous archaeological fieldwork adjoining and close to the proposed development spanning the prehistoric to post-Medieval periods. Significant Anglo-Saxon and Medieval activity has been found in close proximity to the site, including a cremation cemetery.

Cambridge Archaeological Unit undertook an evaluation at Botanic House between the 17th and 19th of May 2010. Four test-pits were excavated, two of which exposed Victorian basements whilst the other two demonstrated deep deposits of made and disturbed ground. No archaeology pre-dating the Victorian period was identified.

Cambridge Archaeological Unit undertook an archaeological evaluation on land adjacent to the Waste Management Centre, Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire, between the 18th and 29th of October 2010. Within the 24 trenches a number of archaeological features were identified including probable prehistoric burnt pits, a continuation of several Romano-British ditches seen in previous excavations including boundary ditches and a possible trackway, and several substantial undated features including a watering hole/well and probable enclosure ditch.

This archaeological desk top assessment was requested by Christ�s College to assess the likely impact of a proposed new Library building. Evaluation of selected archaeological, historical and cartographic evidence shows the site to be located within an area of rich historical and architectural significance, dating from the 10th Century AD to the present date. There exists a reasonable possibility of encountering artefacts and features pre-dating and contemporary to former and current buildings and continuing the known archaeological features identified on the Library site and adjacent Christ�s Lane (formerly Bradwells Court).

A Heritage Survey was carried out prior to the dismantling of the Cambridge to St. Ives railway line in preparation for construction of the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway. Most of the record was photographic, with detailed survey at three locations, Histon Station, Over Road Bridge and the Ouse Viaduct. The survey located the position of an experimental length of continuous welded rail near Longstanton and re-identified the maker of sections of the Ouse Viaduct.

An archaeological excavation was carried out at Addenbrooke's Hospital in advance of the construction of a new building, the Cambridge Centre for Applied Learning (CCAL). This examination of the site involved the re-exposure of the Iron Age enclosure ditch first dug by Mary Cra'ster in 1967. A well preserved 12m section of this ditch which includes part of the north-western corner of this enclosure was exposed towards the southern end of a stripped area of c.180 sq m. The location of this feature would appear to confirm the accuracy of Cra'aster's survey and also her plotted projection of this enclosure. At the same time it was possible to re-examine one of the original 1967 excavation trenches.

This archaeological desk based assessment was commissioned by the Environment Agency in order to assess the potential impact of habitat recreation works within the 194.5 hectare land holding of Great Bells Farm, Eastchurch, Isle of Sheppey (centred on TQ 983 678). The proposed works area (PWA) is located approximately 2.5km southwest of the village of Eastchurch within an area historically known as Eastchurch Marshes. Proposed works comprise the construction of a nature reserve with 145 hectares of new mixed freshwater habitat. Consultation of the Kent Historic Environment Record (HER) has not revealed any designated heritage assets within the PWA or wider study area. Archival, aerial and cartographic sources demonstrate that the land at Great Bells mainly comprises an area of reclaimed low-lying saltmarsh (c. 80%) situated at an elevation of 1-2m AOD, the remaining 20% being situated on the �upland� London Clay of 4 / 5m AOD. The saltmarsh is likely to have originally been enclosed by sea walls in the late Medieval / early post Medieval period, with smaller quantities in the early 19th century. References to a place known as �Bele� date from the early 14th century, and it is first recorded on an undated map of the late 16th century as �Belles�. Cartographic evidence demonstrates that from at least the late 16th century the marshes at Great Bells were a �fresshe marshe� and therefore likely to have been used for grazing. An estate plan from 1732 records a variety of land parcel names associated with grazing, including the presence of a �Sheep House�, at a location which was used as a sheep fold and sheep dip into the 20th century. The �upland� part of the Great Bells site has a higher potential for archaeological remains. The Isles of Elmley and Sheppey are known to contain archaeological remains from as early as the Neolithic period, with recorded remains including prehistoric monuments and settlement activity, Roman occupation, as well as medieval settlement and later agricultural features. This upland area appears to have been a �peninsula� at some stage of its history, surrounded by saltmarsh and as such could have been a focus for maritime or industrial activity such as salt making. Part of this upland area was incorporated into the boundaries of RAF Eastchurch during World War Two. This airfield was heavily bombed on a number of occasions and aerial photos show a number of extant and infilled bomb craters in and around the PWA on aerial photos from 1940-46. Most of the study area was completely inundated in the storm surge of 1953. The proposed works comprising ditches to a depth of c.2.5m shallow �scrapes� are not considered likely to impact upon any prehistoric land surfaces. If any such remains survive, including organic layers, they are buried beyond the 3m depth of alluvial deposits found by hand augering. Any buried archaeological remains on the marsh from the Roman period onwards are not likely to be settlement-related owing to the low-lying topography. Whilst it is possible that remains associated with activities such as seasonal grazing, salt-making or oyster cultivation could be found, it is more likely that any remains encountered would date from the last 500 years of pastoral and arable agriculture and associated drainage. Planning habitat works to avoid areas of high land and the visible and potential late Medieval / Post-Medieval assets defined by this study would mitigate the impact of planned works.

Between 9th and 15th December 2010, The Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) undertook a small evaluation within land to the north of Great Eastern House at the corner of Station Road and Tenison Road, Cambridge. A watching brief of Geotechnical investigations was undertaken concurrently. Trenching identified a post medieval agricultural horizon with the late 19th and early 20th century development of the railway.

Cambridge Archaeological Unit undertook an archaeological evaluation at Grove Farm, Offord D'arcy, Cambridgeshire, between the 22nd and 24th of November 2010. One trench contained an undated possible ditch, whilst the other trenches had been truncated to varying degrees by farmyard activities and an (infilled) post-medieval pond.

This archaeological desk top assessment was requested by Bidwells Ltd on behalf of Trinity College to assess the potential for the survival or discovery of archaeological features, artefacts and building remains within Brewhouse Yard, Trinity College. Evaluation of selected archaeological, historical and cartographic evidence shows the site to be located within an area of rich historical and architectural significance, dating from the 12th Century AD to the present date, including extant listed buildings and adjacent to former Medieval back-plots, an ancient route, formal gardens and site of a stone yard. There exists a reasonable possibility of encountering artefacts and features pre-dating current buildings and surrounding extant features, with a higher probability of recovering and identifying waterlogged items.