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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

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336

West Cambridge: Vicars Farm. An Archaeological Evaluation

Whittaker, P. and Evans, C. (1999). West Cambridge: Vicars Farm. An Archaeological Evaluation. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 336

Evaluation fieldwork led to the discovery of an important Romano-British settlement. With an early Roman cremation cemetery (urned), in the main the occupation appears to be of 4th century date. Locally features had been backfilled with midden-like deposits, with a high density of coins recovered in association. An inhumation of probable Roman date was found at the northern end of the site and, elsewhere, loose human suggests the truncation of other graves. The site probably relates to earlier findings at the Observatory and on Gravel Hill north of Madingley Road and, as such, seems part of a major Roman complex. Its existence, therefore, has significant implications for the understanding of Roman Cambridge and the organisation of the town�s western hinterland. A small quantity of flintwork was also recovered and features evidently relating to the Late-/post-Medieval 'Willowes Ditch' were investigated.

337

An Archaeological Watching Brief at Manor Farm, Yaxley, cambridgeshire

Challands, N. (1999). An Archaeological Watching Brief at Manor Farm, Yaxley, cambridgeshire. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 337

The construction of the access road for a housing development at Manor Farm, Yaxley, provided an opportunity to investigate the archaeology west of an area where portions of ditches, probably dated to the 12th�14th century and roughly aligned east-west, had previously been excavated. If the ditches had at one time extended west to the roadway, they had in recent times been truncated or 'squashed' by the enormous quantities of 20th century brick rubble dumped to consolidate an access track to the farm buildings. Towards the southern end of the new roadway were shallow pits and postholes, and a ditch extended along most of the north-west/south-east section. These features represented elements of the 12th/13thc settlement previously investigated, but were probably only the deepest of the features that previously existed - being the lower portions of those that were cut into the natural Boulder Clay and had not been destroyed by the former farm access track

338

An Archaeological Evaluation at Barrington Cement Quarry, Barrington, Cambridgeshire.

Kenny, D. (1999). An Archaeological Evaluation at Barrington Cement Quarry, Barrington, Cambridgeshire.. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 338

An archaeological evaluation was carried out by the Cambridge Archaeological Unit between 5th & 8th October 1999, on a part of the land subject to the Mineral Extraction Planning Application made by Rugby Cement in respect of the proposed extension to the Barrington Cement Quarry. the evaluation identified new evidence of the medieval agricultural landscape to add to that identified from the air. The evidence permits speculation upon the potential survival of an aspect of that landscape up to the early 20th century. No demonstrably prehistoric features were identified though it is also possible that the pottery from one ditch is in fact prehistoric. The undiagnostic sherds recovered here may be easily confused and an Iron Age ditch wrongly dated to the medieval.

339

Archaeological Fieldwalking at Heathfields 2, Duxford, Cambridgeshire.

McFayden, L. (1999). Archaeological Fieldwalking at Heathfields 2, Duxford, Cambridgeshire.. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 339

Archaeological fieldwalking was commissioned by the clients of FPD Savills on asite proposed for residential development with associated recreational use at land at Heathfield, Thriplow and Whittlesford (Heathfields 2), centred on NGR TL4541 4599. Evaluation trenches excavated earlier in 1999 had identified a high level of worked flint and flint working debris in the ploughsoil as well as several features cut in to the underlying natural. In response to assessment of the evaluation results by the County Council Development Control Office, the Cambridge Archaeological Unit carried out systematic fieldwalking during October this year in order to investigate the ploughsoil flint distribution in more detail.

340

Architectural Recording of a First Floor Room at Jesus College, Cambridge.

Baggs, A., Evans, C., and Hall, A. (1999). Architectural Recording of a First Floor Room at Jesus College, Cambridge.. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 340

During August 1999, repairs to 18th century panelling within the Fellows Common Room of Jesus College presented an opportunity to record architectural features relating to the early collegiate structures and the preceding nunnery range. When five panels were removed for woodworm treatment and consolidation, the exposed elevations were drawn to scale and recorded photographically.

341

The King's Parade Water Mains Watching Brief, Cambridge, Part II: Medieval Buildings and Deposits between Great St. Mary's Church and Bene't Street

Cessford, C. (1999). The King's Parade Water Mains Watching Brief, Cambridge, Part II: Medieval Buildings and Deposits between Great St. Mary's Church and Bene't Street. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 341

A trench dug to replace the water mains in King's Parade, Cambridge, provided an opportunity to record the archaeological deposits that were revealed. This report concerns a 170 metre stretch from opposite the entrance to Great St. Mary's Church to the junction of King's Parade and Bene't Street. A deep and complex urban sequence was revealed. Natural gravels and a buried soil lay under two lanes of probable pre-Conquest date. Large scale 12th/13th century dumps preceded 13th to 15th century timber buildings, yards, lanes, pits and ditches. These were cut by later clunch and brick wall footings and cellars which were demolished in the 18th/19th centuries. The sequence shows that the Medieval street layout was established in the 13th century and that the area was intensively occupied from then until the 18th century.

342

An Archaeological Investogation of Test Pits in the Churchyard of St. Kyneburgha, Castor

Dodwell, N. (1999). An Archaeological Investogation of Test Pits in the Churchyard of St. Kyneburgha, Castor. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 342

Three test pits were excavated between the 8th and the 10th of November along the proposed line of a service trench in the churchyard of St Kyneburgha, Castor (TL12435 98543). The trench measuring c. 25m is to run almost due north from the recently constructed Benefice Centre to Church Hill. The three test pits along the proposed line of the service trench show that this corner of the churchyard is extremely disturbed. There are not only Post Medieval graves, but the deposits through which they cut appear to be levelling dumps containing a mix of Roman, Saxo-Norman, Medieval and Post Medieval material. These earlier deposits may derive from the partial destruction of Roman buildings to the immediate north and east in the early 19th century. Whilst no early in-situ archaeology was recognised in the test pits there is still the possibility, particularly closer to Church Hill, at the present churchyard boundary that undisturbed archaeology could be encountered.

343

Archaeological Excavation at King's School, Ely, Cambridgeshire. Post-Excavation Assesment Report.

Whittaker, P. (1999). Archaeological Excavation at King's School, Ely, Cambridgeshire. Post-Excavation Assesment Report. . Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 343

Archaeological work was undertaken by Cambridge Archaeological Unit on land next to the Heywood Theatre, King's School, Ely (TL 5397/8015) in the summer and winter of 1998. These excavations were commissioned by the King's School, in advance of the construction of a Music School/Recital Hall. The excavations revealed the substantial remains of the south-eastern end of a buttressed building which pre- dates the 14th century. Deposits ranging in date from the 14th - 16th centuries showed the building had suffered from various episodes of flooding. A great depth of deposits datable to the 14th and 15th centuries provided evidence that a stream/river had once been located to the south of the building which was probably the source of this flooding. The building appears to have had a considerable lifespan starting sometime before the 14th century through to the 17th century, with activity heightening around the 15th and 16th centuries. The construction of an oven in the 15th century as well as numerous midden deposits deriving from kitchen waste suggests the building may have once functioned as a kitchen providing for high status individuals. Alterations/renovation work was apparent in the 16th century with the addition of a buttress and brick wall extension as well as rendering of the walls. The 17th century evidence of rubble layers, scaffolding posts and robbing of the walls and buttress stones indicate the wall suffered considerable alterations and demolition during this period. Later outbuildings of 17th and 18th century date were related to a building that had been constructed on top of part of the medieval building. By the 19th century this building had also been demolished and 19th/20th century greenhouses were built upon the plot.

344

Proposed Re-development of the Former Pye Radio and Television Works, Chesterton, Cambridge: An Archaeological Desktop Study

Kenny, D. (1999). Proposed Re-development of the Former Pye Radio and Television Works, Chesterton, Cambridge: An Archaeological Desktop Study. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 344

A desk based assessment was carried out on two parcels of land presently occupied by the former Pye Radio and Television Works at St Andrews Road, Chesterton. Very little information is available for early periods in the vicinity but there is good documentary, and recent archaeological evidence to suggest that Chesterton was a thriving settlement from at least Domesday onwards. The proposed development areas impact upon the Chesterton Old Manor House complex, more properly considered an important manorial farm, and the Pye Radio and Television Works themselves.

345

Archaeological Investigations of the Anglian Water Cottenham Landbeach Sewage Pumping Main, Cambridgeshire.

Hall, C. (1999). Archaeological Investigations of the Anglian Water Cottenham Landbeach Sewage Pumping Main, Cambridgeshire.. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 345

These works were carried out on behalf of Anglian Water Services Ltd in advance of the construction of a proposed sewage pumping main between Cottenham and Landbeach, Cambridgeshire (Map SEW-00137-005). The aim of the investigation was to determine the nature and extent of any archaeological remains on the route and to preserve by record any such archaeology. The route was planned in conjunction with the Cambridge Archaeological Office to avoid known concentrations of archaeological features. The majority of features encountered appear to be related to field systems and the rural landscape, as one would expect. However, given the proximity of known archaeological concentrations, especially in zone 4, it is surprising how little archaeology was encountered. Little can be said about many of the features encountered. The overall low density and variable quality of the archaeological features lying on the path of the pipeline, demonstrate the results of a successful mitigation strategy on the part of the County Archaeological Office and Anglian Water.

346

The Grand Arcade, Cambridge: An Archaeological Test Pit Evaluation.

Dickens, A. (1999). The Grand Arcade, Cambridge: An Archaeological Test Pit Evaluation.. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 346

A series of archaeological test pits were dug to the rear of St. Andrew's Street Cambridge in advance of planning application for the Grand Arcade redevelopment. Access and hole size were limited, but three of the four main test pits revealed archaeological features (two of which were medieval including a probable wall footing) and the fourth test pit had a probable 'B' horizon at the base. All the test pits had a thick layer of well worked garden soil serving to protect deeper deposits.

347

Archaeological Evaluation at the Former Government Offices, Brooklands Avenue, Cambridge

Kenny, D. (2000). Archaeological Evaluation at the Former Government Offices, Brooklands Avenue, Cambridge. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 347

Evaluation trenching in an area to the south of Cambridge not previously examined, revealed evidence of Roman agricultural or horticultural practice. Broadly at right angles to the nearby Via Devana, which approached Roman Cambridge from the south, the features may well form part of the extensive hinterland serving the nearby town. The features dated to the 1st and 2nd century. Later features indicated an early post medieval presence on the site. The area has been largely undisturbed for many years and survival is likely to be good.

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