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
402
An Archaeological Evaluation at 44 Storey's Way, Churchill College, Cambridge
Whittaker, P. (2000). An Archaeological Evaluation at 44 Storey's Way, Churchill College, Cambridge. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 402
An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cambridge Archaeological Unit on land next to 44 Storey's Way, Churchill College, Cambridge in November 2000 (TL 4350 5955). This evaluation work was carried out in advance of a proposed development of three accommodation buildings with associated landscaping and was commissioned by Churchill College. The evaluation revealed evidence of four 17th/18th chalk/lime extraction pits. One of the pits contained residual pottery of 14th century date, another sherd of 15th century date was found in the subsoil suggesting the area had been ploughed in Medieval times when the area was part of the West Fields of Cambridge. Residual worked flint was also found in the back fill of the pits suggesting a prehistoric presence in the area.
403
The Cambridge Centre for Recycling, Ely Road, Waterbeach: Archaeological Evaluation of Graves' Field, Undertakers, Webster's Field and IWM Park
Masser, P. (2000). The Cambridge Centre for Recycling, Ely Road, Waterbeach: Archaeological Evaluation of Graves' Field, Undertakers, Webster's Field and IWM Park. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 403
Trench-based evaluation was carried out on four areas in Cottenham and Landbeach parishes, known as Graves' Field, The Undertakers, Webster's Field and the IWM Park, covering a total area of 45 hectares, which would be affected by the proposed Cambridge Centre for Recycling. All the evaluation areas lie at or below 3 metres OD on the fen margin near the confluence of the Cam and the Old West River, an area known to have been densely settled in the Roman period. In The Undertakers, postholes and pits were identified, relating to a small Late Bronze Age settlement located on a slight rise that would have formed a peninsula of dry land extending into the fen. In Graves' Field, a Roman ditch was excavated, possibly the continuation of a droveway visible as a cropmark feature in the adjacent field, associated with two small gullies and re-cut by a modern field ditch. Webster's field, which is bounded on one side by the Car Dyke, contained a Roman double-ditched droveway, three other ditches which are probably also of Roman date, and several undated postholes. In the IWM Park, late 3rd-4th century occupation deposits including a midden and traces of structures were recorded in one corner, overlying earlier Roman ditches, some of which may be associated with a droveway which is visible as a cropmark in the adjacent field. Other ditches, mostly restricted to an area along one edge of the field, were also predominantly late Roman in date, and related to field systems associated with the settlement, with the exception of one ditch which was of Late Bronze Age or Early Iron Age date. A fourth century temple, now lost to quarrying, formerly stood just beyond the edge of the evaluation area: except for a single undated cremation, no associated features were identified within 120 metres of it, suggesting that the area surrounding the temple was deliberately avoided by Roman settlement and cultivation.
302
Archaeological Evaluation at Land off Melbourn Road, Royston, Hertfordshire
Knight, M. (1999). Archaeological Evaluation at Land off Melbourn Road, Royston, Hertfordshire. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 302
Trench based evaluation of 25ha of land of Melbourn Road, Royston, following Geophysical, Aerial Photographic and Fieldwalking surveys in 1996, demonstrated an archaeological negative within an area rich with Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments. A few small lithic scatters and two pit features represent the only activity contemporary with the monuments, illustrating a large empty space within the catchment of a major henge and barrow complex situated immediately to the north and east of the site.
303
An Archaeological Evaluation at King's Garden Hostel, West Road, Cambridge
Whittaker, P. (1999). An Archaeological Evaluation at King's Garden Hostel, West Road, Cambridge. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 303
An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cambridge Archaeological Unit on land next to King's Garden Hostel, West Road, Cambridge. This work was commissioned by King's College in advance of a proposed extension to the Hostel. The evaluation results revealed a Saxon burial site, including part exposure of three graves of mixed orientation. These were surviving beneath a headland, probably formed in Medieval times when the area was part of the West Fields of Cambridge. Pottery of 13th/14th century date was found in the Medieval plough soil to the south of the headland. Remnants of ridge and furrow ploughing methods were evidenced, which had been cut by two later Medieval features, possibly small pits or the terminal ends of a parallel ditch. A number of Post Medieval features including pits and small planting trenches/drainage gullies probably related to the 19th century landuse, when the area was incorporated into the King's Fellows Gardens. Residual worked flint was found in the grave fills and one flake was found in the subsoil possibly a remnant of prehistoric buried soil.
304
Land Around Homerton Street, Cambridge: An Archaeological Desktop Assessment
Dickens, A. (1999). Land Around Homerton Street, Cambridge: An Archaeological Desktop Assessment. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 304
A desk based assessment was carried out on land surrounding Homerton Street, Cambridge. The findings indicate that archaeology from the Roman period is most likely to be found on the site. Excavation carried out to the south earlier in the century suggest that the original route of the Via Devana, the principal route into Roman Cambridge from the south, may run across the proposed redevelopment area. The potential for significant contribution to studies of Roman Cambridge�s hinterland is high.
305
Archaeological Investigations at Buckingham House, New Hall, Cambridge
Lucas, G. (1999). Archaeological Investigations at Buckingham House, New Hall, Cambridge. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 305
Assessment trenching in advance of the re-building of student halls of residence revealed extensive and deep coprolite pits dating to the late 19'*/early 20" century in the garden of Buckingham House, New Hall. Any earlier remains would have been completely eradicated by the quarrying, although some residual sherds of early Roman pottery may suggest that there was activity of this period on the site.
306
Archaeological Evaluation at Land Behind 48 Church Street, Willingham
Dickens, A. (1999). Archaeological Evaluation at Land Behind 48 Church Street, Willingham. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 306
A trench evaluation was carried out on the site of a proposed small housing development. Two trenches were cut. The northernmost, closest and parallel to the Church Street frontage, revealed only one possible feature, a single posthole of unknown date. The second trench had three significant features: The oldest, a ditch with a sherd of late Roman pottery deep in the fil, is one of only very few confirmed Roman features in the immediate vicinity, although Roman evidence is extensive in the environs of the village. Further south a deep pit was possibly an early medieval well. All the pottery recovered from the feature was post-Conquest but pre-thirteenth century, supporting the proposition that early medieval development in Willingham was along the Church Street line. The third feature was a deep brick lined well dating to the seventeenth or eighteenth century. No evidence was found to suggest that the major Saxon settlement recently excavated in the central area of the village extended this far to the north east. With the exception of the Roman ditch the finds related to the early medieval and later development of this important Fenland village.
307
The Proposed Integrated Waste Management Centre, Ely Road, Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire. A Desktop Study
Gibson, D. (1999). The Proposed Integrated Waste Management Centre, Ely Road, Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire. A Desktop Study. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 307
The proposed Integrated Waste Management Centre on the Donarbon site west of the A10 Ely Road Waterbeach will consist of the development of four previously unworked areas located within and adjacent to the present Donarbon site. These are adjacent to areas of known Iron Age and Romano-British settlement and field systems. Parts of these may extend into the development areas, including the possible course of the Roman Road, Akeman Street. Other archaeological remains in the locale include prehistoric occupation sites and Medieval field systems. In response to the known archaeology a specification of works (22.1.99) in line with normal archaeological practice has been devised in consultation with the County Archaeology Office (CAO). This desktop assessment is the first stage of the response to the mitigation scheme and has been deemed sufficient by the CAO to inform the Environmental Assessment for planning purposes. The desktop assessment including appraisal of the aerial photographic record details the known archaeology within and adjacent to the proposed development area and assesses its potential. It is anticipated that further field evaluation will be necessary before the final mitigation strategy is agreed with the CAO and this will be the subject of a condition/section 106 agreement of planning permission.
308
An Archaeological Evaluation at Colne Fen, Earith, Site VI
Regan, R. (1999). An Archaeological Evaluation at Colne Fen, Earith, Site VI. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 308
Between 1st and 22nd of March 1999 the Cambridge Archaeological Unit evaluated the archaeological potential of two fields lying to the south-east of the present Earith quarry. This phase of assessment was undertaken prior to proposed soil stripping and gravel extraction. The work was part of the on going investigation and excavation of archaeology within the quarry area. The evaluation work was commissioned by Hanson Aggregates (formerly ARC).
309
An Archaeological Evaluation of Land off West Fen Road, Ely, Cambridgeshire
Knight, M. (1999). An Archaeological Evaluation of Land off West Fen Road, Ely, Cambridgeshire. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 309
Trenched based evaluation of two areas of land (Cornwell and Cotmist) off West Fen Road, Ely, following a Desk-top assessment (Gibson 1998) identified three main sites. Dating to Roman, Saxon and early Medieval periods the archaeology comprised a complex palimpsest of enclosures/fieldsystems made up of multiple lines of ditches. The northern edge of the site produced a concentration of linears both 1st Century Roman as well as Early-Late Saxon pottery. Some background Iron Age material was also recovered. In the south-eastern corner, a Late Saxon settlement and fieldsystem were identified replete with an impressive assemblage of Thetford Ware pottery. Some of the ditches belonging to this particular fieldsystem were made distinctive by their burnt fills, another attribute indicative of settlement proximity. Elsewhere large pits containing glazed ceramics attest to an early Medieval presence, perhaps in association with the prominent ridge and furrow which was superimposed upon the earlier settlement and enclosure complex.
310
Further Phases of Watching Brief at ARC Baston No. 2 Quarry (TF145 135)
Higbee, L. (1999). Further Phases of Watching Brief at ARC Baston No. 2 Quarry (TF145 135). Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 310
A second phase of overburden stripping was undertaken between the 29th October and the 4th November 1998 on an area approximately 60m x 120m and 72m x 80m. During this phase of the watching brief six features were observed, excavated and recorded. Dating evidence was recovered from the basal fil of one pit and suggests a possible Bronze Age date for its infill.
311
Test Pit Observations in the West Cambridge Development Area 1998
Dickens, A. (1999). Test Pit Observations in the West Cambridge Development Area 1998. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 311
Observations were made on geo-technical test-pits dug across the West Cambridge Development Area in 1998. Within the small exposures available very few possible features were noted and no finds made relating to Iron Age, Roman or medieval activity which might be expected in the vicinity.
