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
260
From Roman Villa to Saxo-Norman Village: An Archaeological Evaluation at The Cedars, Castor
Lucas, G. (1998). From Roman Villa to Saxo-Norman Village: An Archaeological Evaluation at The Cedars, Castor. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 260
This report presents the results of an archaeological evaluation in the orchard/back garden attached to Cedar House which lies at the centre of the historic village of Castor (TL 1239 9853). Situated within a Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM 93), the area around the Church of St. Kyneburgh is famous for its Roman and Saxon remains. The fieldwork followed a geophysical survey and a desk-based assessment which included a summary of previous work in the area. The project was conducted on behalf of the Castor Parochial Church Council in advance of a proposed construction of a Church Benefice Centre and associated groundworks. The archaeological evaluation of the Cedars has demonstrated an excellent, more or less continuous stratigraphic sequence for the Roman and Saxon periods, one not seemingly encountered elsewhere in Castor . The remains of floors and walls uncovered at the Cedars undoubtedly belong to a substantial building, the main outer walls being nearly 2m thick; moreover, its association is clearly with the villa complex known since the early nineteenth century. The re-use of the Roman building in the early Saxon period is demonstrative of continuity; there is no evidence of major destruction or demolition at this point, rather the shell of the building may have been incorporated within or remodelled with a timber post structure. All the features associated with Middle Saxon activity on the site appear to be related to wall/stone robbing. The first firm evidence of re-occupation at the Cedars recurs in the late Saxon/Saxo-Norman period and indeed this may have followed on fairly soon after the robbing. The re-occupation here is in the form of a substantial timber building with prepared floor and hearth dating to sometime after the mid-9th century and probably no later than the 11th century.
261
An Archaeological Evaluation at 9-11 High Street, Haddenham, Cambridgeshire
Whittaker, P. (1998). An Archaeological Evaluation at 9-11 High Street, Haddenham, Cambridgeshire. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 261
An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cambridge Archaeological Unit on land behind #7-11 High Street, Haddenham, Cambridgeshire. This work was commissioned by WRB Restoration and Development Limited in advance of a proposed housing development. The results revealed evidence of activity dating from the mid -late Medieval (14th - 16th centuries) and Post Medieval (17th - 19th centuries) periods. Two Medieval features were discovered, one pit and one small posthole with further evidence of residual Medieval pottery found within the later features. The majority of the Post Medieval features were datable to the 18th century, associated with the upstanding building at the front of the plot, giving evidence of typical Post Medieval back yard/garden activity in the form of brick drains, rubbish pits, sand pits and postholes.
262
Archaeological Excavations at Milton Recreation Ground, Milton, Cambridgeshire
Lucas, G. (1998). Archaeological Excavations at Milton Recreation Ground, Milton, Cambridgeshire. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 262
This report presents the results of fieldwork mitigation in advance of a proposed housing development on the c. 0.5ha site of Milton Recreation Ground east of Cambridge Road (TL 475 623). It follows a desktop assessment and covers two-stages of work: initial evaluation rolled over into more extensive excavation, after on-site review by the County Archaeologist. The work was carried out on behalf of the Cambridge Housing Society and South Cambridgeshire District Council between the 20th April and 1st May 1998. The archaeology found at the site can be divided into two main areas: a concentration of pits and possible ditch at the eastern end (Area A) and a double ditch line visible as a cropmark at the western end (Area B). Isolated pits also occurred between these two areas. All the features have been attributed a later prehistoric date on the basis of morphology and associated finds (late Neolithic/Bronze Age).
263
An Archaeological Evaluation at Land North of 2 Gray's Lane, March, Cambridgeshire
Whittaker, P. (1998). An Archaeological Evaluation at Land North of 2 Gray's Lane, March, Cambridgeshire. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 263
An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cambridge Archaeological Unit on land north of 2, Grays Lane, March in Cambridgeshire. This work was commissioned by Hereward Design on behalf of their clients in advance of a proposed housing development. The evaluation results revealed a late Medieval roadside drainage ditch possibly 15th/16th century in date. This was superseded by backlot activity of gardens and outbuildings associated with the 17th century house at the front of the plot. Land use was continuous from the 17th century onwards, with the majority of the features revealed datable to the 18th and 19th centuries. Medieval pot sherds were found dating to the 14th/15th centuries, though these were residual in nature.
264
Archaeological Excavation at the Co-op Site, Fengate, Peterborough
Gibson, D. (1998). Archaeological Excavation at the Co-op Site, Fengate, Peterborough. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 264
This report presents the results of fieldwork carried out as part of an archaeological evaluation of the 3.8 hectare site, at Fourth Drove, Fengate proposed for development as a distribution complex, with ancillary facilities (e.g. open hard standing). The evaluation, commissioned by Anglia Regional Co-operative Society Ltd. conforms with the brief set by the County Archaeology Office (CAO4.11.96). A post-built Neolithic structure and pits was uncovered.
265
Archaeological Excavations at Manor Farm, Yaxley, cambridgeshire
Regan, R. (1998). Archaeological Excavations at Manor Farm, Yaxley, cambridgeshire. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 265
Excavations were carried out prior to possible development of the site of Manor Farm, Yaxley. Previous work had suggested the presence of a moat, perhaps enclosing the original site of the manor house. The excavations proved that no such moat existed in that area, the cut features observed were part of an extensive series of ponds, perhaps for fish , apparently supplied by a ditch system still visible in the fields to the north of the farmyard complex. Pottery, and one possible earlier feature, attested a Roman presence in the area. Several ditches were revealed dating to the twelfth to fourteenth century. No direct evidence was found to locate the site of the original Manor house, which may lie to north. A building survey suggested that the standing buildings, including the present house, were all rather later than had been presumed. The house and barns contained reused earlier elements, but generally dated to the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Records were also made of several nineteenth and twentieth century farmyard features which will not survive any re-development of the site.
266
An Evaluation of Archaeological Potential at the Old Eastern Electricity Depot, Ely
Regan, R. (1998). An Evaluation of Archaeological Potential at the Old Eastern Electricity Depot, Ely. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 266
Three trenches were excavated by the Cambridge Archaeological Unit on the site of the former Eastern Electricity Depot at the corner of Broad Street and Jubilee Terrace, Ely (TL 5428 7984). Each of the trenches produced slightly differing results reflecting the diverse nature of development in the eastern riverside part of Ely. On the Broad Street frontage the earliest evidence found dated to the 13th century and appeared to relate to fairly peripheral activity. Above this a phase of dumping was interpreted as levelling up with possible evidence of sill beams and floors. Sealing this a 15th century dump level was the base for a substantial building representing a major (re)-development of the frontage. The back of a substantial property fronting onto Broad Street was revealed delineated by substantial walls. Internal divisions and an external yard were clearly visible. Sealing this phase, a further episode of dumping was preparation for a 17th century structure on the same site. Again individual rooms were identifiable. Later activity had removed most of the traces of the later buildings on the plot which are attested to by cartographic and documentary evidence. On the north side of the site (nearest Jubilee Terrace) the earliest material dated to the 13th/14th centuries possibly associated with floor deposits. Successive dumping episodes, with ephemeral structural evidence, span the 14th and 15th centuries. Later this is sealed by a yard associated with a series of postholes and pits, indicting a building dating to the 15th century. From the late 15th/early 16th century this part of the site was garden with a thick loamy deposit more than 1m deep. Again later activity, of which there is evidence from other sources, is poorly represented in the archaeological record. The Victoria Street frontage showed evidence of dumps and rather less substantial structures. A small oven/kiln suggested possible industrial activity associated with a building in the 15th/16th century. A less well developed layer of garden soil suggested a later history of horticulture prior to the construction of the later buildings known to occupy the site.
267
79, High Street, Fletton, Peterborough: An Archaeological Evaluation
Alexander, M. (1998). 79, High Street, Fletton, Peterborough: An Archaeological Evaluation. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 267
This report concerns an evaluation of the archaeology at 79 High Street, Fletton undertaken by the Cambridge Archaeological Unit between the 9th and the 15th of June, 1998. The Cambridge Archaeological Unit were commissioned by B. M. Design Consultancy (formerly Bower Mattin), chartered architects and surveyors, on behalf of their client Axiom Housing Association in anticipation of the construction of seven sheltered bungalows for the elderly. The programme of work was designed in accordance with the brief issued by the CAO. The evidence from the evaluation suggests intense activity dating from the 12th century can be anticipated along the street frontage, with only minimal damage from later construction. Post-Medieval activity was found further away from the street frontage, in the form of a substantial building, first established in the 17th century. Structural, as well as external features were present at the northern (street) end of Trench 1, but the presence of residual pottery makes the sequence difficult to interpret. It appears that at some, if not all, stages during the early Medieval period the area lies in close proximity to, but not within, a domestic dwelling. It is possible that the associated structures lie on either side of the trenched area, or to the north. If the latter is true it could suggest a widening of the High Street in the later Medieval period or that the original High Street was routed closer to the church, possibly along the line of Church Lane.
268
Archaeological Excavations of a Late Bronze to Early Iron Age Settlement and Romano-British Enclosures at Eye Quarry, Peterborough
Gibson, D. and White, L. (1998). Archaeological Excavations of a Late Bronze to Early Iron Age Settlement and Romano-British Enclosures at Eye Quarry, Peterborough. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 268
The report is to provides an assessment of the stratigraphic, artefactual and environmental data from the archaeological excavations at Eye Quarry, Peterborough in terms of their potential for analysis. A general summary of the fieldwork results, integrated with the specialists findings are given in the main body of the report and followed by a statement of the potential and recommendation for analysis. The various components of the site archive have been evaluated by the author of this report and qualified specialists. The total pottery assemblage was scanned by the Iron Age & Roman ceramic specialists with the primary aim of determining its date and character. Quantity was recorded by sherd count and weight. Flint was recorded by count and weight. The other materials such as daub, slag and metalwork have been catalogued with preliminary comments. The faunal and environmental components were sampled according to varying criteria.
269
An Archaeological Watching Brief at Madingley Hall
Regan, R. (1998). An Archaeological Watching Brief at Madingley Hall. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 269
The excavation of the Service Duct trenches revealed several phases of activity. The most prominent being the further exposure of the Saxo-Norman settlement which appears to cover much of the area south and east of the present Hall complex. Later Medieval features were also found but activity dating to that period appears to decline, possibly reflecting a shift of focus to a more nucleated settlement. As expected several features such as terracing, surfaces and walls were uncovered, relating to the various changes in garden landscaping and subsidiary buildings around the Hall, dating between the 16th-20th centuries.
270
An Archaeological Watching Brief at Glatton Hall, Glatton, Cambridgeshire
Whittaker, P. (1998). An Archaeological Watching Brief at Glatton Hall, Glatton, Cambridgeshire. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 270
Between the 2nd and 3rd July 1998 an archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Cambridge Archaeological Unit on land within the estate of Glatton Hall, Glatton in Cambridgeshire (TL 154 862). This work was commissioned by Sally B. Schreiber in advance of the construction of one detached house and garage. The excavation was conducted in accordance with the design brief prepared by the Cambridgeshire County Council Archaeology Section. The earliest phase of activity is indicated by the presence of the sherd of St. Neots pot within a buried soil layer. Though it was not found within a feature providing definite evidence of settlement activity in this area, its presence supports the documentary evidence of the Domesday book and provides a possible earlier date to the origins of the village. Later Medieval postholes and an associated layer can be dated to the 15th century. They provide evidence that there was some form of structure in this area predating the known dates of the origins of Glatton Hall. They may well be associated with an earlier Hall or else an unrelated building, possibly mirroring growth in settlement activity within Glatton when the church was rebuilt in the 15th century. It would appear that the Glatton Hall estate is well established by the early 17th century and the archaeological evidence of a thick layer of undisturbed topsoil and earlier garden soil supports the cartographic record of the area being in fairly continuous use as a garden area for over 350 years.
271
An Archaeological Watching Brief at ARC Baston No. 2 Quarry, Langtoft, Lincolnshire
Higbee, L. (1998). An Archaeological Watching Brief at ARC Baston No. 2 Quarry, Langtoft, Lincolnshire. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 271
Between the 1st and 4lh of September 1998 a watching brief was undertaken to record archaeological remains prior to gravel extraction in an area approximately 123m by 60m SE of Outgang Road and Cross Road, Langtoft, Lincolnshire. No archaeological features were observed in plan on the machined surface, however, two linear features aligned N-S were observed in section and it was possible to trace these for a short distance since they showed up in the section of successive strips. It is impossible to relate these two features to adjacent sites given the paucity of the archaeology and the unfortunate lack of dating evidence.
