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
459
Proposed site of Cambridge Crown Court, East Road, Cambridge: An Archaeological Desktop Assessment
Redfern, N. (2001). Proposed site of Cambridge Crown Court, East Road, Cambridge: An Archaeological Desktop Assessment. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 459
This Archaeological Desktop Assessment was commissioned by John Mowlem & Co. It concerns an area of c. 0.26 of a hectare adjacent to MacKay's Ironmongers, East Road, Cambridge (TL 4610/5860). This study is being produced in advance of the redevelopment of this land as the site of the new Cambridge Crown Court. The Cambridge Archaeological Unit has been appointed the to carry out a desktop assessment on behalf of the client to collate and assess information relating to the site's archaeological potential. The study reveals a potential for archaeology of several periods, notably Medieval, as it lies just to the south of the village and monastic site of Barnwell.
460
An Archaeological Evaluation at the Former Chesterton Hospital, Union Lane, Chesterton, Site 3
Hatherley, C. (2001). An Archaeological Evaluation at the Former Chesterton Hospital, Union Lane, Chesterton, Site 3. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 460
The Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) was commissioned by Januarys Chartered Surveyors on behalf of Lifespan Healthcare NHS Trust to carry out an archaeological evaluation in advance of redevelopment on the site of the former Chesterton Hospital. Located to the north of Chesterton village, off Union Lane, the evaluation comprised of 71 square metres of trial trenches carried out between the 5th and the 9th November 2001. This third phase of work at Chesterton Hospital has unfortunately produced no significant information to broaden our understanding of the village of Chesterton. The Post Medieval quarry pits and the possible early 19th century garden features all appear to be contemporary with the construction/life of the Workhouse. They may well have truncated earlier activity although the presence of a very abraded sherd of 15th century pottery is the only evidence.
461
An Archaeological Evaluation on Land Adjacent to Oundle Road, Peterborough Business Park
Mackay, D. (2001). An Archaeological Evaluation on Land Adjacent to Oundle Road, Peterborough Business Park. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 461
Sixteen trenches were opened on land at the Peterborough Business Park bordering Oundle Road. Definite evidence for prehistoric activity was scarce consisting of isolated lithic findspots. The area appeared more intensively utilised during the Roman period with several ditches appearing to represent a 2nd-3rd century Roman field system, along with other as yet undated activity.
462
An Archaeological Desk Based Assessment of Land off West Drive, Highfields, Caldecote, Cambridge
Redfern, N. (2001). An Archaeological Desk Based Assessment of Land off West Drive, Highfields, Caldecote, Cambridge. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 462
This Archaeological Desk Based Assessment was commissioned by Ashwell Developments Limited. It concerns an area of c.0.98 hectares off West Drive, Highfields, Caldecote, Cambridge, TL 3480/5870. This study is being produced in advance of the redevelopment of the land for housing. It reveals a potential for archaeology of several periods, notably Iron Age and Roman, with known occupation to the south and north-east of the site.
463
Archaeological Excavations at Norwich Road, Kilverstone, Norfolk
Garrow, D. (2002). Archaeological Excavations at Norwich Road, Kilverstone, Norfolk. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 463
This report presents an assessment of the results of an archaeological excavation at Norwich Road, Kilverstone, Thetford, Norfolk undertaken between December 2000 and June 2001 by the Cambridge Archaeological Unit. It also includes recommendations for further work. A separate Updated Project Design with outline timetable for analysis and publication will follow once specialists� work schedules are confirmed. The fieldwork was commissioned by the Ashwell Group Ltd in advance of a housing development. The site comprised four separate areas of excavation within two fields on the north-eastern outskirts of Thetford (centred TL 8840 8385). The open area excavations confirmed the results of an earlier trench-based evaluation, producing further evidence of Neolithic and Early Bronze Age pits, a Neolithic flint scatter, a major Late Iron Age/Romano-British settlement and an 18th century brick kiln. In addition, evidence of previously unknown Early Saxon occupation was recovered. A group of ninety-six Neolithic and Early Bronze Age (4000-1500 BC) pits was excavated in Area A. Six of these were found to contain cremated human bone (one with two urns); the rest produced quantities of worked and burnt flint, as well as charred hazelnuts and a variety of pottery types. Seven pits of similar date and assemblages were uncovered in Area B; these lay underneath a buried soil, which produced large amounts of Neolithic worked flint. A number of prehistoric pits were also revealed in Area C, along with a small Neolithic structure. A dense and complex concentration of Late Iron Age (100 BC � AD 43) and Romano-British (AD 43 � 410) archaeology was uncovered within Area C. This included the remains of seven structures as well as a complex sequence of field boundary ditches and enclosures. A significant amount of metalwork was recovered, including a �blacksmith� deposit of pewter plates, hammer, tongs and charred wood. Six burials � three adults and three infants � and an urned cremation were also found. Ten Early Saxon �sunken feature buildings� (SFBs) were recovered in Area C, along with two post-built structures. These dated to between the 5th and 7th centuries AD. Seven rectangular pits containing large amounts of burnt flint were also assigned to this period. Several parallel ditches and three pits in the south-eastern corner of Area C could represent the periphery of a Medieval settlement (14th century) which lay just beyond the edge of site. One pit in Area B and a number of stray metal detector finds were also found to be Medieval in date. An 18th century �Suffolk-type� brick kiln was excavated in Area D, along with its adjacent �stoking pit�. Three rather poignant 20th Century features, created when a U.S. aeroplane crashed during the Second World War, were recovered towards the northern corner of Area C. The results of the excavation are of considerable importance. The number of Neolithic/Early Bronze Age pits uncovered is impressive, placing the site alongside major sites such as Hurst Fen and Broome Heath. The Iron Age settlement appears to have been fairly low-key, and provides an important context for other �high status� sites known in the vicinity. The Roman period settlement underwent several major transformations in its life, from a site with possible �religious� associations, to a farm, to a metalworking centre. Its complex developmental sequence allows us to gain considerable insight into the processes of change within a single settlement; it also adds to our somewhat scanty knowledge of the Roman period in the area. The Early Saxon settlement appears to have paid little attention to the remains of earlier occupation, and certainly was not continuous with it; it too enhances our piecemeal knowledge of the Saxon period in the area. The Medieval features suggest that a 14th century settlement may have existed to the east of the excavation area. The 18th Century brick kiln was remarkably well-preserved, and allows us to add to the industrial history of Thetford.
464
An Archaeological Excavation at Tanholt Farm, Eyebury Quarry, Eye, Peterborough. Phase One
Patten, R. (2002). An Archaeological Excavation at Tanholt Farm, Eyebury Quarry, Eye, Peterborough. Phase One. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 464
An archaeological excavation was undertaken in advance of the proposed extension to Eyeburry Quarry at Tanholt Farm, Peterborough (centred TF 243 024). Four haul roads and a large open area were excavated, all of which contained archaeological features. Most of the features were dated to the Bronze Age or Romano-British periods. The excavation primarily revealed an enclosed field system and the fringes of a Bronze Age settlement probably outside the catchment of this phase of work. The Romano-British phase was characterised by a series of enclosed field systems probably associated with the villa/farmstead within the Archaeological Conservation Zone.
465
An Archaeological Excavation at Redgate Hill, Hunstanton, Norfolk
Patten, R. (2002). An Archaeological Excavation at Redgate Hill, Hunstanton, Norfolk. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 465
An archaeological excavation was undertaken in advance of the construction of bungalows on a plot of land at Redgate Hill, Hunstanton (TF 6780 3980). Evidence for a roundhouse and a number of pits and postholes were discovered and complemented the work undertaken in 1970-1971 in which numerous prehistoric pits and enclosures were discovered.
466
Archaeological Evaluation at 18 and 18a St. Peter Street, Cambridge
Dickens, A. (2002). Archaeological Evaluation at 18 and 18a St. Peter Street, Cambridge. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 466
Archaeological investigations at 18 & 18a St. Peter's Street, Cambridge on behalf of St. John's College, revealed a deep sequence of archaeology. Of the four trenches dug two revealed in situ Roman remains and two in situ early medieval deposits. All trenches, however, had been affected to a varying degree by deep truncation related to use of the site as a farmyard prior to the early 19th century which makes detailed prediction of survival difficult.
467
Archaeological Evaluation at the Former Government Offices, Brooklands Avenue, Cambridge
Armour, N. (2002). Archaeological Evaluation at the Former Government Offices, Brooklands Avenue, Cambridge. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 467
Archaeological evaluations undertaken on the previous site of the Government Offices off Brooklands Avenue, Cambridge, recovered some evidence of 1st to 2nd century AD activity of probably agricultural nature, but no direct evidence of nearby settlement. The predominant character of the site was of late medieval and postmedieval land usage with probable ridge and furrow field systems re-worked during the period of enclosure in the early post-medieval period.
468
No. 5 West Road, Cambridge. An Archaeological Evaluation
Mackay, D. (2002). No. 5 West Road, Cambridge. An Archaeological Evaluation. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 468
Four trenches were opened in the gardens of No. 5 West Road, Cambridge, by the Cambridge Archaeological Unit in January 2002. Archaeological features were uncovered in both the front and rear gardens of the property, possibly of Saxon date and agrarian in nature. However, the archaeology was severely truncated, probably by later agricultural activity, and few artefacts were recovered.
469
Addenbrooke's Electricity Substation. An Archaeological Evaluation
Mackay, D. (2002). Addenbrooke's Electricity Substation. An Archaeological Evaluation. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 469
An archaeological evaluation was carried out by the Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) at the site of the proposed electricity substation in the grounds of Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, on the 4th February 2002. The work was funded by Addenbrooke's NHS Trust. The 505m2 site lies in the southern hinterland of Cambridge, and on the northern edge of the grounds of Addenbrooke's Hospital at TL 4639 5544. The one feature uncovered in the trench was not wholly unexpected, running close to and on the same alignment as two boundary ditches visible on a geophysical survey of the adjoining Downing College playing field. Indeed, a trench excavated on the edge of the playing field by the CAU in 2001 uncovered one of these ditches, whose dimensions and nature were very similar to the one discussed above (although not the same feature). It is unlikely that the feature uncovered on the Addenbrooke's site represents any of the geophysical anomalies on the playing field, although it is undoubtedly associated with them. The closest parallel ditch visible on the geophysical survey is part of an enclosure that continues south-west for approximately 100m, before making a right-angled turn to the south-east, and is probably a part of a much larger Iron Age/Romano-British enclosure system. Also of interest with regards to the location of the Addenbrooke's trench is the projected course of a Roman road running approximately north-south. The projected line of the road runs through the development area, and would probably have impacted upon the trench if present. It is quite possible that any upstanding part of the road has been truncated away, although its flanking ditches may still survive to either side.
470
An Archaeological Evaluation at Barton Road, Cambridge.
Mackay, D. (2002). An Archaeological Evaluation at Barton Road, Cambridge. . Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 470
Forty trenches were opened by the Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) on land adjacent to Queen's College Sports Ground, Barton Road, Cambridge, in December 2001 in order to assess the archaeological potential of the site. Although a large part of the area under evaluation contained little of archaeological interest, an area encompassing both early and late Iron Age settlement was discovered, albeit on an apparently small scale. Widely spaced ditches, probably representing field systems of both Late Iron Age and Roman date, occurred over most of the site.
