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
1492
5/6 Clerk Maxwell Road, Cambridge: An Archaeological Excavation. Post-Excavation Assessment.
Barrett, H. 2021. 5/6 Clerk Maxwell Road, Cambridge: An Archaeological Excavation. Post-Excavation Assessment. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1492
An archaeological excavation was carried out by the Cambridge Archaeological Unit at the former University Cocks and Hens Tennis Club, Clerk Maxwell Road, Cambridge between 28th June and 10th August 2021, ahead of development. The work was commissioned following an archaeological evaluation which identified significant Roman remains in the northern half of the Development Area (Middleton 2021). The excavation revealed late Roman (third-fourth century AD) ditched enclosures and boundaries, a road, metalled surfaces, a scorched surface, pits and disuse deposits. These features were rich in artefactual and environmental remains and provide evidence of edge-of settlement activity associated with the dense, multi-phase, Vicar's Farm Roman settlement neighbouring the excavations to the west (Evans and Lucas 2020). The Roman road identified appears to be a continuation of that discovered at Wilberforce Road to the south (Brittain and Evans 2018). The medieval Willowes Ditch, first noted on maps in the 14th century (Hall and Ravensdale 1976) and still partially extant today, bisected the site from west to east. Extensive archaeological investigations in the environs of this site have revealed a coherent map of Roman settlements, roads and field systems surrounding the town of Duriloponte (Roman Cambridge). The overarching aim of this project is to investigate the character and phasing of the site's Romano-British activity within the context of the surrounding excavations, thereby enhancing our understanding of Romano-British settlement in the western hinterlands of Duriloponte.
1487
Nos. 3–5 Round Church Street and the Cambridge Union Society, Cambridge: Archaeological Excavations
Cessford, C. 2022. Nos. 3�5 Round Church Street and the Cambridge Union Society, Cambridge: Archaeological Excavations. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1487
Excavation and monitoring at the Trinity College and Cambridge Union Society site on Round Church Street/Park Street, Cambridge, by the Cambridge Archaeological Unit between April 2019 and February 2021 covering c. 900 square metres revealed features and material relating to a 1st/2nd–4th-century roadside settlement known from previous investigations and the later town, spanning the 10th to 19th centuries. As the focus of occupation was on Bridge Street, the archaeological evidence for both the 1st/2nd–4th-century and 10th-century and later occupation relates mainly to activities that took place in backyard areas. Most features of all periods were pits, with a beamslot, building related features, cesspits, ditches, drains, culverts, a grave, a hollow, an oven, planting beds, postholes, a soakaway and wells also present. The work also included significant investigation of 12th–16th-century phases of the town boundary, known as the King's Ditch. The 10th-century and later archaeological remains can be linked to several properties documented from the 13th century onwards and depicted on 16th century and later maps. Important discoveries include several rapidly deposited, moderately sized assemblages dating to the 2nd, 14th and 16th–early 17th centuries, which probably relate to individual households, a mid-2nd–3rd-century skeleton with probable sharp force trauma, a 13th–15th century sword pommel, a 16th-century flower vase and a 17th-century sundial.
1508
The Community Hub, St. John's College, Cambridge: Archaeological monitoring
de Bruxelles, C. & Cessford, C. 2022. The Community Hub, St. John�s College, Cambridge: Archaeological monitoring. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1508
The Cambridge Archaeological Unit undertook archaeological monitoring at St John's College, Cambridge. The trench monitored was located in the western part of the southern range of Second Court and was associated with the Community Hub Development. The monitoring revealed two small Post-Medieval cellars associated with the Buttery and several foundations associated with the original building (1599–1602). The architectural recording of part of the southern wall of the Buttery showed that part of the Post-Medieval fabric had been preserved, if heavily modified during the 19th–20th centuries.
1503
Land North of Hightown Drove, Burwell, Cambridgeshire: Solar Energy Scheme: An Archaeological Evaluation
Patten, R. & Machicado Murillo, E. 2022. Land North of Hightown Drove, Burwell, Cambridgeshire � Solar Energy Scheme: An Archaeological Evaluation. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1503
Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) undertook a trenched evaluation at Land North of Hightown Drove, Burwell, Cambridgeshire in order to assess the archaeological potential of the site prior to the construction of a proposed solar energy farm by EDF RE (Planning Ref: 20/00557/ESF). The evaluation was carried out between the 1st November and 6th December 2021. Extensive evidence for 19th and early 20th century coprolite quarrying was recorded throughout the proposed development area, with evidence for earlier marling trenches/pits.
1485
Northstowe Phase 1, Cambridgeshire. Archaeological Archive Report. Areas C, E, F, J, K & M
Aldred, O. & Collins, M. 2021. Northstowe Phase 1, Cambridgeshire. Archaeological Archive Report. Areas C, E, F, J, K & M (two volumes). Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1485
Excavations occurred between 2014 to 2016 in advanced of the Northstowe Phase 1 housing development, revealing an extensive landscape with archaeological features dating from the Middle Bronze to the 11th century CE, and into the medieval and post medieval periods. Over this three millennia period the same space has been occupied in different ways by people working the land and living in it. We see the first signs of this process in the Middle to Late Bronze Age field systems and seasonal activity, perhaps over a thousand year period. Until the Middle Iron Age when we first observe the establishment of up to 14 small settlements in the wider vicinity, two of which we present in this book. As these settlement create a community in the landscape, connected though communal spaces, at the eve of the Roman occupation of Britain, there is a process of abandonment and the forming of a new, larger Romano-British settlement. While the Romano-British settlement continues to grow, the former Iron Age settlement diminishes, and is turned into a seasonal place, and for farming. The main set piece is the Roman settlement, covering a four hectare area, enclosures and structures, trackways, and a possible small shrine, and burials, are reorganized on a 50 year or so cycle, reconfirming the same spaces until the 4th century CE when we begin to see a contraction in the settlement, and a change in use. And from the early 5th century we observe a new settlement arrangement, with a series of small, 'mobile' settlement clusters outside of the former Romano-British settlement, with a series of rare early-5th to 6th and 7th century burials, a time that is called the 'dark ages'. Furthermore, there was also a subsequent development from the 9th century CE onwards which formed a proto-village. And in parallel, if not slightly to this development in the medieval period proper, an open field around the settlement was created. In the form of ridge and furrow (with visible 'headlands' or baulks between the fields visible on lidar imagery), the field system lay on the former areas of the Bronze Age field system, Iron Age settlements, and Roman farm, and lasted until the post-medieval and into the Modern periods.
1481
Babraham Research Campus Local Plan: Archaeology
Wiseman, R. (2021). Babraham Research Campus Local Plan: Archaeology. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1481
The Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) has been commissioned by Babraham Research Campus Ltd to summarise the known archaeology within the Babraham Research Campus (BRC), and to establish its likely archaeological potential in accordance with the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Local Planning Policy. In addition, this assessment identifies and assesses the constraints and opportunities posed by the archaeology and suggests responses to proposed development. The CAU has undertaken the bulk of archaeological work on the campus and this chapter assessment is based primarily on the CAU's extensive excavation records and desk-based assessments.
1526
Archaeological Scoping Study CAMBRIDGE EAST
Tabor, J. 2022. Archaeological Scoping Study CAMBRIDGE EAST. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1526
The Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) has been commissioned by Marshall to scope the potential impact on archaeological and heritage assets of proposed development of land at Cambridge Airport and to the northeast of Teversham. This report first outlines the relevant current policy before collating the archaeological and historical evidence, including historic mapping, in order to provide a baseline for assessment. Also included is an Aerial Photographic Assessment commissioned for this study and undertaken by Air Photo Services Ltd. The significance of known/recorded archaeological sites within the PDA is then assessed and areas of 'archaeological risk' within the PDA boundary, identified and characterised. The assessment has identified 21 heritage assets within the PDA, of which two are designated heritage assets (both listed buildings). Based on significance and preservation potential, nine are classified as representing sites of archaeological risk within the PDA, whilst four broader areas/zones of increased archaeological risk have also been identified.
1477
Scoping Archaeological Potential at Snetterton. A Desk Based Assessment.
Wiseman, R. (2021). Scoping Archaeological Potential at Snetterton. A Desk Based Assessment.�. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1477
Breckland District Council is preparing a masterplan for expanding the current industrial area at Snetterton, Norfolk. To inform decisions about the site's development potential, the Council has commissioned a desk-based Scoping Study of heritage assets which might be impacted. Heritage assets include archaeology, listed buildings, scheduled monuments, their setting, and the historic character of the area. The study focusses on heritage assets within one kilometre of the 'Proposed Development Area' (PDA) although high-value assets such as Scheduled Monuments and Grade I listed buildings within two kilometres have also been reviewed. This report gathers together information including records in the Norfolk Historic Environment record, Historic England's database of listed buildings and scheduled monuments, aerial photographic evidence gathered by the Norfolk National Mapping programme, historic maps from the Ordnance Survey and the local parishes, and results of the Historic Landscape Characterisation project.
1478
Babraham Research Campus: Proposed Building B960. Desk based assessment
Wiseman, R. (2021). Babraham Research Campus:�Proposed Building B960. Desk based assessment. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1478
The Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) has been commissioned by Babraham Research Campus Ltd (BRC) to prepare an archaeological desk-based assessment for a Proposed Development Area (PDA) on the Babraham Research Campus, Cambridgeshire. The proposed development is for a new research building (B960) as well as a carpark and landscaping. This desk-based assessment summarises: (a) The nature and extent of archaeological and heritage assets relevant to development within the PDA (b) The significance of those assets (c) The potential impact of development on the surviving archaeology and heritage assets.
1525
Long Holme Drove Investigations II: 2020 Excavations within Hanson's Over/Needingworth Quarry (Phase V.1): Post-Excavation Assessment
Tabor, J. & Barker, C. 2022. Long Holme Drove Investigations II: 2020 Excavations within Hanson�s Over/Needingworth Quarry (Phase V.1): Post-Excavation Assessment. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1525
Archaeological excavations were undertaken by the Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) at Hanson's Over/Needingworth Quarry (centred on TL3890 7290) between July 2020 and May 2021. Taking place within the Phase V.1 area of the quarry, excavations were carried out in three areas (A-C) totalling 12.64ha. The excavations mark the latest phase of a long-running archaeological project within the Over/Needingworth quarry (dating back to the mid 1990s), which has revealed a significant and well-preserved prehistoric landscape. The current phase recorded archaeological remains dating from the Mesolithic through to the Roman period. With Mesolithic evidence largely limited to residual flint and a small flint assemblage recovered from a tree throw, the site's first major phase dates to the Neolithic. Early Neolithic activity was represented by two small pit clusters, whilst a round barrow (Barrow 22) with a central double primary inhumation overlain has been provisionally dated to the Middle Neolithic based on a number of worked flints evidently placed as 'grave goods'. Further Neolithic monuments comprising a small timber circle/hengiform monument and part of a possible henge were also excavated. More extensive evidence of Late Neolithic occupation comprised pits, a possible structure and a large pit-well, which yielded an important finds assemblage including large quantities of animal bone and Grooved Ware pottery. Often occupying the same parts of the landscape as the preceding Late Neolithic Activity, Beaker period occupation was represented by a series of pit clusters. A second round barrow (Barrow 20) was well preserved and having been identified previously during the site's evaluation this monument was a particular focus of the excavations. Surrounded by a ring-ditch the barrow's upstanding mound sealed a primary cremation—dated to the Early Bronze Age—associated with in situ pyre remains situated on the preserved pre-barrow ground surface. Evidence of Middle Bronze Age activity was dominated by an extensive field system(s), apparently representing both 'infield' and 'outfield' components either side of a droveway that extended across the site. Clear evidence of contemporary settlement was limited to a single roundhouse, however, a large number of pits and postholes—including a number of further structures—seem likely to also date to the Middle Bronze Age. Also broadly dating to the Bronze Age, a series of watering holes/pit-wells contained waterlogged fills and a number of important finds including wooden artefacts. Finally, a dense concentration of preserved wooden posts, amongst further degraded posts/postholes, has proven to date the Roman period and appears to represent activity along a possible former channel cut through the overlying fen deposits. The excavations have also produced an important assemblage of prehistoric artefacts and ecofacts including worked flint, pottery, worked bone, worked stone, worked wood/wooden artefacts, faunal remains and human remains, which are included within this assessment. In addition, as part of the ongoing palaeoenvironmental investigations at Over/Needingworth bulk environmental samples have been assessed and hold significant potential for further analysis, whilst further work on pollen and geoarchaeological sampling is outlined in this report.
1522
Archaeological Mitigation of Land at Babraham Research Campus, R and D Building 960, Cambridge. Archaeological Excavation Report
Cameron-Heffer, M. & Barker, C. 2022. Archaeological Mitigation of Land at Babraham Research Campus, R and D Building 960, Cambridge. Archaeological Excavation Report. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1522
Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) undertook archaeological excavations at Babraham Research Campus ahead of the proposed construction of R&D Building 960 and its associated car park and gardens. Excavations were carried out between 19th May and 7th July 2022. The excavation followed archaeological evaluation conducted by the CAU in 2014. Machine stripping of the area revealed a ridged and pitted chalk landscape which had been filled and gradually flattened by successive alluvial and colluvial deposits. The excavation revealed: the corner of a boundary ditch enclosing the Romano-British settlement recorded in previous excavations at the Research Campus; a Medieval pit potentially used to process shell-fish from the River Granta; and a large number of Late Medieval and Post-Medieval ditches, ditch segments and lines of pits associated with the enclosure and landscaping of the grounds and parkland of Babraham Hall.
1524
Land East of Aspall Road, Debenham, Suffolk: An Archaeological Interim Statement
Middleton, L. 2022. Land East of Aspall Road, Debenham, Suffolk: An Archaeological Interim Statement. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1524
The Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) were commissioned by to undertake an open area archaeological excavation of land east of Aspall Road, Debenham, Suffolk. The excavation was divided across two areas totalling 0.74ha. Area 1 was characterised medieval occupation activity, in particular the eastern boundary of a large medieval rectilinear enclosure. It was divided into plots by smaller ditches. Other medieval activity within the enclosure points to potential quarrying. The only other features in Area 1 were all post-medieval, with a rectilinear enclosure, a field boundary, and the demolition layer of a building present at the southernmost end. Area 2 was made up of features that were either medieval or post-medieval. The medieval features include a large watering hole and a group of post-holes and small pits in south-eastern corner of the area. These post-holes were perhaps part of a small structure or fence line. The remaining features are a series of shallow parallel ditches orientated north-west to south-east, and were the remains of a ridge and furrow system.
