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
1466
Land North of the Bank, Somersham. An Archaeological Evaluation
Collins, M. (2021). Land North of the Bank, Somersham. An Archaeological Evaluation. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1466
Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) undertook a test pit watching brief and trenched evaluation on land at 67 South Street, Stanground, Peterborough (TL 20307 96915) to assess the archaeological potential of the Site prior to a proposed development. The monitoring of ground investigations was carried out between the 18th and 19th December 2020 with the evaluation being carried out between the 28th and 30th June 2021. No archaeological features were found during either of the stages of investigation. The excavations demonstrated that there were considerable levels of disturbance during the initial construction of the current buildings standing on site
1467
Land at Unit 2, Broad Lane Industrial Estate, Cottenham. An Archaeological Evaluation.
Bourne, T. (2021). Land at Unit 2, Broad Lane Industrial Estate, Cottenham. An Archaeological Evaluation.. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1467
A trial trench-based evaluation was carried out by the Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) on land at Unit 2, Broad Lane Industrial Estate, Cottenham, Cambridgeshire, between 15th-16th March 2021. A single undated pit was the only archaeological
feature encountered.
1469
Archaeological Excavations at West Deeping, Lincolnshire. Phases 5, 6, & 7: 2020-2021 Interim Report
Chaplin, A. (2021). Archaeological Excavations at West Deeping, Lincolnshire. Phases 5, 6, & 7: 2020-2021 Interim Report. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1469
Archaeological excavation was carried out by Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) from September 2020 to February 2021 within the Proposed Extraction Area (PEA) at Cemex Quarry, West Deeping, PE6 9HP. The PEA is a 42-hectare plot which has been divided into 10 phases. Previous work within the PEA includes an archaeological evaluation (Patten 2002); excavation of Phase 1 (Murrell 2010a); a watching brief for underground cables (Murrell 2010b); excavation of Phases 2, 9, 10 (Barrett 2021a); excavation of Phases 3 and 4 (Barrett 2021b). The Phases excavated between September 2020 and February 2021 and detailed in this interim report were Phases 5, 6 and the most northerly part of Phase 7. These phases centred on NGR 511084 310368 and totalled 7.87 hectares. The investigations revealed cut features and artefacts relating to Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Roman, Medieval and post-Medieval periods. This activity has been contextualised and dated together with supplementary information from the previous archaeological investigations listed above and the extensive geophysical survey undertaken over the PEA (Johnson 1998). Neolithic activity was seen in the form of discrete pits, some of these appearing in clusters, identified by the presence of Peterborough Ware, Grooved Ware and worked flint. A significant proportion of the archaeology uncovered was Bronze Age in date, focussed around droveways and associated enclosures and settlements. These were part of a larger, radial ditch system extending from a point on the River Welland c.1km to the south of the PEA, first excavated within the PEA in 2007 (Murrell 2010a). Situated within this large-scale land management system there were two settlements, evidenced by numerous Bronze Age pits, postholes, a burial and three watering holes, one of which was potentially associated with an industrial area. The Iron Age evidence comprises a cluster of discrete pits and postholes in the southeast corner of Phase 6, representative of a settlement. Roman activity consists of a substantial double ditched trackway that extends from King Street, 2km east beyond the PEA to Market Deeping, of which one of these ditches is present along the southern edge of Phase 7. In addition, clusters of amorphous roadside quarry pits were revealed c.30m east of the Roman road of King Street, which is contiguous with the western edge of the PEA. Archaeology from the Saxon period is represented by seven inhumations in Phase 6. Iron nails and knives, glass beads, a coin pouch including at least one perforated Copper coin, a bone comb, a spindle whorl, a Copper alloy clothing adornment and remains of textile were discovered as grave goods.
1470
Babraham Park and Ride Extension Site, Cambridge: An Archaeological Evaluation
Middleton, L. (2021). Babraham Park and Ride Extension Site, Cambridge: An Archaeological Evaluation . Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1470
A trial trench based archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) on land adjacent to Babraham Park and Ride, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire (TL 4770 5447) between the 19th and 20th of April 2021. Limited archaeological activity was revealed and comprised of two postmedieval ditches and a possible furrow.
1471
Northstowe Phase 2, Cambridgeshire. Archaeological Post Excavation Assessment (Vol 6) Areas AA1, AA2, AA3/4, & AA6
Aldred, O. (2021). Northstowe Phase 2, Cambridgeshire. Archaeological Post Excavation Assessment (Vol 6) Areas AA1, AA2, AA3/4, & AA6. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1471
Excavations occurred across four different areas within the boundary of the former Oakington Airfield, Longstanton, Cambridgeshire between October 2016 and April 2019. A coherent but complex settlement landscape was revealed, orientated around a Late Iron Age to Roman period trackway. This lay together with a dispersed scattering of post-holes, pits, watering holes, wells, field systems, structures and enclosures dating from the Late Bronze Age through to medieval and post-medieval times. The main settlement horizon started in the Middle to later Iron Age until the Late Iron Age, with clusters of roundhouses. An impressive, large (1km long), complex, polyfocal Roman settlement subsequently developed, using and adapting the earlier Iron Age arrangement. The immediate post-Roman and Early Anglo-Saxon arrangements, that to a large degree respected the earlier Roman settlement, was formed of post-built structures and pitting. The medieval and post-medieval evidence was largely related to arable agricultural practices in the form of furrows, headlands, as well as several large ponds in some of the key spots where much earlier water and spring exploitation had occurred during the Roman period. The excavation also revealed an extensive drainage and electrical system related to the airfield and military role of the 'site'.
1473
Archaeological Excavations at Cemex Quarry, West Deeping, Lincolnshire.Phases 2, 9 and 10: 2016-2018. Interim Report
Barrett, H. (2021). Archaeological Excavations at Cemex Quarry, West Deeping, Lincolnshire.Phases 2, 9 and 10: 2016-2018. Interim Report. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1473
1474
Cambridge South Infrastructure Enhancements. An Archaeological Evaulation.
Barrett, H. (2021). Cambridge South Infrastructure Enhancements. An Archaeological Evaulation.. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1474
An archaeological evaluation was carried out on a site south of Cambridge city centre, located between the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hobson's Brook and the West Anglia Main Line railway. The Archaeological Investigation Area (AIA) contains part of a Roman Scheduled Monument (NHLE 1006891) and is situated in an area of dense Bronze Age to Roman activity. Previous work within the AIA includes fieldwalking (Bradford 1978), an aerial photographic survey (Palmer 1999), and a geophysical survey (Magnitude 2020). Two ditches aligned northwest-southeast were excavated in Trench 4, adjacent to the eastern boundary of the AIA. Early Roman pottery, part of a beehive quern and an iron nail were recovered from the most substantial of the two. When viewed in conjunction with the geophysical survey results it is clear that this ditch represents part of a trackway that formed the northern limit of a settlement attached to the southeast corner of the building complex within the scheduled area. Aerial photographs show that this trackway extended southeast for at least 1km to Granham's Farm. The shallower of the two ditches contained a single, very abraded sherd of Neolithic or Late Bronze Age pottery and a flint flake. It is likely to be part of a Bronze Age field system, several of which have been suggested by ephemeral, reticulated cropmark plots and the results of archaeological evaluations immediately to the east of the AIA (Hinman 1999; Wright 2019).
1475
Northstowe Phase 3a, Cambridgeshire. Archaeological Evaluation Assessment (Vol. 2)
Collins, M. (2021). Northstowe Phase 3a, Cambridgeshire. Archaeological Evaluation Assessment (Vol. 2). Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1475
Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) undertook a second phase of evaluation across Areas 3 and 5 within the boundary of the Northstowe Phase 3a development area between the 28th January - 22nd February 2021. Within Area 3, a continuation of the Romano-British trackway system previously identified within the Phase 2 excavations was identified, together with elements of a probable field-system. Also identified within this part of Area 3 was a probable post-built Early Saxon structure together with other postholes indicating a continuation of the extensive settlement likewise previously identified during the Phase 2 works (Site 18). Towards the southwest corner of Area 3, a further area of activity was identified comprising of a large Middle Iron Age pit cluster similar to that identified during archaeological works along the Guided Busway Spur (Site 49). The trenching within Area 5 mostly identified medieval and post-medieval agricultural features including field boundaries and furrows, although a small group of Middle Iron Age postholes and a single pit were recorded close to the centre of the area.
1476
The Wilkins Building, King's College, Cambridge: Archaeological monitoring of the Wilkins Bar and Inner Portal
de Bruxelles, C. (2021). The Wilkins Building, King's College, Cambridge: Archaeological monitoring of the Wilkins Bar and Inner Portal. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1476
Between 3rd and 28th August 2020 a watching brief was conducted by the Cambridge Archaeological Unit in the Wilkins' Bar, King's College, Cambridge. The works consisted of the reduction of the raised floor in the bar and the digging of a stair lift cage in the Inner Portal, as part of the redevelopment of the Wilkins' Building. The exposed area in the bar revealed several wall footings pertaining to the original Wilkins' Building internal partitioning as well as linear features and a pit. In the Inner Portal, several phases of bedding or surface deposits were associated with structural remains, indicating elements the pre-collegiate use of the land.The exposed area in the bar revealed several wall footings pertaining to the original Wilkins' Building internal partitioning as well as linear features and a pit. In the Inner Portal, several phases of bedding or surface deposits were associated with structural remains, indicating elements the pre-collegiate use of the land.
1479
67 South Street, Stanground, Peterborough: An Archaeological Evaluation assessment and Monitoring of Ground Investigation Results.
Middleton, L. (2021). 67 South Street, Stanground, Peterborough: An Archaeological Evaluation assessment and Monitoring of Ground Investigation Results.. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1479
The Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) undertook a test pit watching brief and trenched evaluation on land at 67 South Street, Stanground, Peterborough (TL 20307 96915) to assess the archaeological potential of the Site prior to a proposed development. The monitoring of ground investigations was carried out between the 18th and 19th December 2020 with the evaluation being carried out between the 28th and 30th June 2021. No archaeological features were found during either of the stages of investigation. The excavations demonstrated that there were considerable levels of disturbance during the initial construction of the current buildings standing on site.
1480
Bottom Lodge Farm, Cambridgeshire, An Archaeological Evaluation Assessment
Collins, M. (2021). Bottom Lodge Farm, Cambridgeshire, An Archaeological Evaluation Assessment. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1480
Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) undertook a trenched evaluation at Bottom Lodge Farm, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE7 3UH, in order to assess the archaeological potential of the Site prior to a proposed commercial development. The site was divided into nine Areas (Areas 1-9), and out of those, archaeological remains of significance were identified within two of them. Area 2, which was located along the southern edge of the site, contained the northern extent of a Romano-British settlement previously identified at Peterborough Services and along the adjacent A605. The identified remains included enclosures, smaller field ditches, a possible stone wall, and a metalled surface, potentially forming part of a trackway. Within Area 8, located towards the northern edge of the site, a small Mid/Late Iron Age probable farmstead was identified which constituted several irregular enclosures with internal features and a possible domestic hub. Across the remaining areas, archaeological features were sparse, and could largely be attributed to medieval and post-medieval agriculture (i.e., furrows and field boundaries), although several, widely dispersed, features remain undated and could predate these late periods.
1482
Land East of Church Street and South of Bicker Road, Donington, Lincolnshire. An Archaeological Evaluation Assessment
Middleton, L. (2021). Land East of Church Street and South of Bicker Road, Donington, Lincolnshire. An Archaeological Evaluation Assessment. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1482
The Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) was commissioned by Burmor Construction to undertake a trenched evaluation on land East of Church Street and South of Bicker Road, Donington, Lincolnshire (TF 2092 3601) to assess the archaeological potential of the site prior to a proposed development. The evaluation was carried out between the 5th and 7th July 2021, and identified a series of ditches and pits of 10th to 15th century date.
