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
994
Land to the rear of the High Street, Offord D'Arcy, Cambridgeshire: An Archaeological Excavation.
Tabor, J. (2011). Land to the rear of the High Street, Offord D'Arcy, Cambridgeshire: An Archaeological Excavation.. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 994
An archaeological excavation was undertaken by Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) at Offord D'Arcy, Cambridgeshire (TL 2205 6660) in January 2011. The work was carried out in advance of a small housing development comprising three houses and a recreation ground located to the rear of the High Street. Excavations over an area measuring 1142 metres square revealed archaeological features comprising pits, ditches and ponds, the majority of which were concentrated in the north-west corner of the excavation area. The finds assemblage recovered from the features indicates three broad phases of activity; the 13th-14th century, the 14th-15th century and the post-medieval/modern period. A sherd of Roman greyware pottery, thought to be residual, reflects Roman activity in the wider landscape. It is thought that the remains represent activity at the rear of a medieval/post-medieval property extending back from the High Street. To the east, beyond the property boundary, lay a more open landscape of fields and paddocks. This is reflected in the environmental evidence recovered from the site, which indicates damp pasture on the periphery of a settlement. No evidence relating to the 12th-13th century settlement recorded to the north-east during the 2009 evaluation was encountered, however the results still represent an important addition to the local archaeological record and are a useful contribution to our understanding of the medieval village and landscape.
995
The School of Pythagoras, St. John's College, Cambridge: An Archaeological Desktop Assessment.
Newman, R. and Dickens, A. (2011). The School of Pythagoras, St. John's College, Cambridge: An Archaeological Desktop Assessment.. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 995
This archaeological desk top assessment was requested by Oliver Caroe (of Caroe Architecture) on behalf of St. John�s College, Cambridge, in order to assess the potential for the survival and/or discovery of archaeological features, artefacts and building remains in the area of the School of Pythagoras, Cambridge. Assessment of the available archaeological, historical and cartographic sources shows the site to be located within an area of rich historical and architectural significance, with extant structural remains dating from the late 12th/early 13th century AD to the present. A minimum of nine burials, two of which have been radiocarbon-dated to the Late Roman period, have also been identified within the area, implying the existence of a previously unrecognised cemetery. Furthermore, the presence of an artificial or canalised watercourse has also been proposed, lying in relatively close proximity to the extant masonry building. It has been suggested that this feature, known as the �Cambridge Watercourse�, may be Viking or medieval in origin. Most significant of all is the School of Pythagoras itself, which represents one of only a small number of surviving examples of 13th century domestic architecture in the country. Any future archaeological investigation conducted at the site therefore has the potential to make a substantive contribution to the ongoing debate regarding the usage and function of such buildings, as well as to provide important information regarding the nature of medieval domestic life in the town.
996
Morland Road, Ipswich. An Archaeological Evaluation.
Hogan, S. (2011). Morland Road, Ipswich. An Archaeological Evaluation.. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 996
During July and August 2010, an archaeological excavation was carried out by the Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) at land adjacent to Morland Road, Ipswich, Suffolk (TM 179 417). The excavation was undertaken following an evaluation of the site in January 2010, and in advance of the development of housing and associated services. The excavation identified pits and postholes relating to Early-Middle Iron Age settlement activity, and a series of probable early Romano-British linears at the northwest corner of the site. Separate zones of activity were discernable within the settlement; with structural elements, including one clear post-built roundhouse, located to the southern end of the site, and domestic waste features largely confined to the northern end. The alignment of the linears was similar to that of linears identified in the evaluation, suggesting the presence of enclosures or other settlement divisions. Several undated and modern features were also recorded across the site.
997
The Old Vicarage, Thompson's Lane, Cambridge: An Archaeological Watching Brief.
Newman, R. (2011). The Old Vicarage, Thompson's Lane, Cambridge: An Archaeological Watching Brief.. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 997
An archaeological watching brief was undertaken at the Old Vicarage - situated on Thompson's Lane, to the rear of St Clement's Church, Cambridge - on the 7th of March 2011. Remains dating from the medieval to modern periods were identified at the site. In the first instance, a sequence of yard surfaces was present, interspersed with periods of backyard horticultural activity. These layers dated from the 13th to 15th centuries. Subsequently, a made-ground deposit was introduced. This may have been associated with building work undertaken at the nearby church during the 16th century, or the construction of the Old Vicarage itself in the late 16th/early 17th century. Most significantly of all, however, a minimum of three mid to late 18th century burials were present. One of these individuals had been encoffined, and a second had been interred within a coffin-shaped grave. Notably, these burials were all oriented north-south. Furthermore, they do not appear to have been situated within the bounds of the medieval churchyard, as no earlier burials were present. Therefore, they most probably relate to a brief period of cemetery expansion, perhaps precipitated by the construction of a new chancel at St Clement's Church. The churchyard appears to have rapidly returned to its former size, however, as no additional phase of burial was undertaken within the investigated area.
998
Observations of Geotechnical Test-Pits dug at Downham Road, Ely: An Archaeological Watching Brief.
Timberlake, S. (2011). Observations of Geotechnical Test-Pits dug at Downham Road, Ely: An Archaeological Watching Brief.. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 998
An archaeological watching brief was carried out during the excavation of eight geotechnical test-pits by RSA Geotechnics Ltd. on land destined for the construction of the new Ely Leisure Centre. Seven of the 0.5m x 3m wide machine cut slots were located in the field to the west of the A10/B1411 roundabout. Previous evaluation had revealed evidence for Middle Saxon occupation with a background of Iron Age and Romano-British activity.
999
25 Crossingway Hand, Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire: An Archaeological Evaluation.
Timberlake, S. (2011). 25 Crossingway Hand, Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire: An Archaeological Evaluation.. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 999
On 21st March 2011 the Cambridge Archaeological Unit carried out a small archaeological evaluation (15m of trenching) within the abandoned gardens of No.25 Crossway Hand, Whittlesey prior to the demolition of the existing house and the construction of three new houses. Trench 1 (7.5m) at the front of the house had no archaeology in it, whilst Trench 2 (7.5m) to the rear of the house exposed the base of one small (0.5m diameter) undated pit cut into the gravel, the latter with a single cobble of burnt stone in it. Some 3m (south) of the north end of this trench some animal bone and a 30 cm long fragment of burnt clay (similar to briquetage) was noted within the lower subsoil exposed in the west-facing section. No traces of Roman pottery or tile were recovered despite the proximity of this site (some 10-15m distant) from the Fen Causeway.
1000
Trinity College Kitchens, Cambridge: An Archaeological Excavation and Watching Brief
Newman, R. (2011). Trinity College Kitchens, Cambridge: An Archaeological Excavation and Watching Brief. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1000
Archaeological investigations were recently undertaken in two discrete areas located within the grounds of Trinity College, Cambridge, in advance of the redevelopment of the College's kitchen facilities. The first, and most intensively excavated, of the two areas was situated within the present kitchen cellar, beneath the southern end of the Great Hall. Here, four phases of activity were identified in three distinct trenches. The first of these phases consisted of a series of pits of 12th to 16th century date. Subsequently, the majority of these features were truncated by the erection of two substantial structures, both of which contained undercrofts. These buildings were associated with the newly established Trinity College, which had been founded at the site by Henry VIII in 1546. The third phase of activity, which occurred in 1603-04, consisted of the demolition of the two preceding structures. These were then replaced during phase four by the College's extant Great Hall, which was completed in 1605. The second area of investigation was situated around 70m to the southwest of the first, inside the southeastern corner of the southern range of New Court. Here, a single trench was excavated in advance of the construction of an electrical switchroom. The earliest activity to be identified in this location consisted of a sub-soil deposit, containing Roman pottery, which was then overlain by a series of alluvial layers. These were then truncated by a series of features during the 11th/12th centuries. Then, in the early 13th century, three closely adjacent timber buildings were constructed. In the early 14th century, however, all three buildings were demolished and the area was transformed into a long-lived garden. The site remained in use as a garden until a stable block was constructed in the late 17th century. Then, in 1823, the stables were demolished in order to make way for the construction of New Court.
1001
Cantelupe Solar Farm: Archaeological Field Survey
Tabor, J. (2011). Cantelupe Solar Farm: Archaeological Field Survey. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1001
Archaeological field survey comprising fieldwalking and metal detecting was undertaken by Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) at Cantelupe Farm, to the north-east of Haslingfield, Cambridgeshire (centred on TL 414 537). The fieldwork was supplemented by an aerial photographic survey undertaken by Air Photo Services. The work was undertaken on behalf of Terence O'Rourke Ltd. for Alectron Solar Ltd., as part of a planning application submission for the construction of a solar farm. The aerial photographic survey identified no archaeological sites or features within the proposed development area whilst fieldwalking and metal detecting yielded comparatively few finds, the majority of which were post-medieval in date. The finds were spread widely across the two fields surveyed and the assemblage is considered to be consistent with 'background levels' of artefacts which would be expected in most agricultural fields.
1002
Glebe Farm, Cambridge: An Archaeological Excavation.
Collins, M. (2011). Glebe Farm, Cambridge: An Archaeological Excavation.. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1002
Cambridge Archaeological Unit undertook the excavation of two adjacent areas at Glebe Farm, Cambridge, between 15th June to 3rd August, and, 18th October to 21st October 2010. These excavations revealed a dispersed scatter of features including a small group of Early Neolithic pits, post-holes and utilised treethrows, Early and Middle Iron Age pits, and a continuation of a previously identified Early-Middle Iron Age boundary ditch system. Also present were an undated ring-gully with a central inhumation, and a further, smaller, undated ring-gully with a central post-hole.
1003
RAF Alconbury: Archaeological Watching Brief of Geotechnical Test Pits.
Slater, A. (2011). RAF Alconbury: Archaeological Watching Brief of Geotechnical Test Pits.. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1003
Archaeological monitoring of geological test pitting in advance of new gateway into RAF Alconbury. No Archaeological features were encountered but a full soil profile was recorded.
1004
Neath Farm Business Park, Cherry Hinton, Cambridge: Archaeological Evaluation. A Statement
Slater, A. (2011). Neath Farm Business Park, Cherry Hinton, Cambridge: Archaeological Evaluation. A Statement. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1004
Between the 19th and 21st of April 2011, Cambridge Archaeological Unit undertook a small evaluation by trial trench within the easternmost extent of Neath Farm Business Park, Cherry Hinton; immediately adjacent to Church End Road. A densely packed sequence of linear ditches and gullies of 12-14th century date was identified as well as several discrete features and pits. The evaluation was undertaken on behalf of Ventress Property Developments Ltd.
1005
Stibbington Marina, Cambridgeshire: An Archaeological Desktop Assessment
Appleby, G. (2011). Stibbington Marina, Cambridgeshire: An Archaeological Desktop Assessment. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 1005
This archaeological desk top assessment was requested by Mr P Duggan of Sibson Manor, Stibbington, Cambridgeshire, to assess the likely archaeological impact of a proposed development area (PDA) of c. 6.3ha adjacent to the A1 and River Nene at Sibson, Cambridgeshire. Evaluation of the archaeological, historical and cartographic evidence shows the PDA to be located within a landscape with archaeological finds and features dating from the early prehistoric period to the Medieval period and especially in an area of significant Romano-British settlement and industrial activity, with evidence of a high status building in the vicinity. The PDA is itself located within or immediately adjacent to an area identified as Deserted Medieval Village.
