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Item Open Access Archaeological Investigations at Babraham Hall Institute, Babraham, Cambridgeshire 1993(Cambridge Archaeological Unit, Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge, 1994-03-31) Butler, RobertArchaeological investigations conducted on the redevelopment for a car park extension immediately to the east of Babraham Hall Institute (TL 512 505) revealed a yard surface probably associated with a late 18th century property demolished during the 1830s, a 19th century ancillary building, yards and drainage features. A late 19th century drive was evident as an upstanding earthwork, which lead up to the formal entrance of Babraham hall. Evidence of embarkment was indicated by extensive truncation and disturbance, however, the paucity of medieval artefacts and the absence of surviving features provided no in situ evidence of a pre-embarkment village and/or manorial centre.Item Open Access Archaeological Investigations at 14-15 Market Street, Cambridge (Eaden Lilley)(Cambridge Archaeological Unit, Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge, 1994-02-28) Miller, JanetAs part of the redevelopment of the Eaden Lilley Department Store, 14-15 Market Street was substantially demolished and rebuilt. These works included the removal of the existing basement concrete slab and the insertion of piles for the new building. In view of the site's position within Cambridge, the County Archaeology Office considered that there was a possibility that archaeological remains would be exposed and disturbed in the process of these works. A brief was prepared by the CAO to mitigate the impact of the development on the archaeological resource. Unfortunately, no archaeological deposits or features were identified in any of the areas exposed beneath the concrete slab. Within the site all the archaeology and the top metre or so of the natural subsurface had been obliterated, probably by the insertion of the present basement. It seems most likely that the lack of any evidence of deep cut features is due entirely to this and not part of negative evidence indicating that there were no wells or quarrying.Item Open Access Recording of the Timber Frame of The Bath Hotel, Bene't Street, Cambridge(Cambridge Archaeological Unit, Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge, 1994-02-28) Miller, JanetParts of the original seventeenth century timber frame of Number 3 Bene’t Street, The Bath House, were exposed during recent refurbishment. This was recorded in detail enabling a reconstruction of both the south and north elevations.Item Open Access Archaeological Investigations at Bourn Bridge, Pampisford, Cambridgeshire(Cambridge Archaeological Unit, Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge, 1994-02-28) Evans, ChristopherAs part of a planning application for quarrying, a field assessment was undertaken across a 10ha terrace beside the River Granta near to its Icknield Way ford. Hillwash and alluviation had variously obscured and truncate any buried soil, and clearly influenced fieldwalking results; only moderate quantities of lithics were recovered. Nevertheless, earlier Neolithic activity was evident over much of the application area. Across the central floodplain concentrations of burnt flint were encountered, suggestive of ‘early’ camp-type settlement. Deposits of this occupation matrix (burnt flint and earlier Neolithic flintwork) were found within the base of a palaeo-channel of the river, beside which was a prehistoric ditch filled with burnt flint, and a burial within the alluvium. Whilst possibly defining a ring-ditch mortuary enclosure, the proximity of the alluvium-sealed ditch and the inhumation may, however, be coincidental and the grave much later (Romano-British?) A distinct spread of Iron Age occupation debris was found, 60m from the river, in the eastern part of the site. Although evidently redeposited through earlier quarrying, contemporary features in the vicinity suggest that movement of this material had not been great. Features of Romano-British date were found sealed throughout the floodplain. A major riverside droveway system and probable settlement complexes were identified.Item Open Access An Archaeological Investigation at Fulbourn Hospital for Addenbrookes NHS Trust(Cambridge Archaeological Unit, Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge, 1994-01-31) Gdaniec, KasiaAnticipating the construction of an Intensive Treatment Unit (ITU) at Fulbourn Hospital (TL 498/563) an archaeological investigation was conducted to mitigate the impact of the development on potentially surviving archaeological remains. The grounds of the Hospital had been investigated during the summer of 1993 when substantial evidence of earlier Bronze Age settlement was revealed. Such a discovery raised the importance of the grounds since few settlements are known in southern Cambridgeshire from that period. The likelihood of further archaeological features being present in the area of the new development was a strong possibility, necessitating evaluation.Item Open Access An Archaeological Assessment at Lordship Lane, Cottenham, Cambridgeshire 1993(Cambridge Archaeological Unit, Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge, 1993-12-30) Butler, Robert; Wait, Gerald; Wait, Gerald [0000-0002-1265-7953]An investigation of a 7.2 hectare area on the northern/northwestern periphery of Cottenham village was undertaken by the CAU on behalf of Mr V Donnelly, and in accordance with a brief set by the Archaeology Office of the Cambridgeshire County Council. The investigation included an earthwork survey of the field to the south of the Crowlands manor moated site (a Scheduled Ancient Monument). A series of earthworks were record, some demonstrably modern, whilst others may be antiquities or may be relatively recent in origin. A larger area to the southwest of the moated site was investigated by a sequential programme of test pits, test stations and trial trench excavations. The test pit soil sampling programme has contributed to the continuing refinement of the CAU’s suite of sampling strategies. The test stations and trial trench excavations revealed a pattern of early Medieval field boundary ditches, on a northeast-southwest alignment, apparently continuing the pattern of plots still evident in modern boundaries of tenements fronting onto the north side of the High Street. This is superimposed upon and earlier, probably mid to late Saxon pattern of ditches and gullies (on an east-west alignment). The Saxon phase is a potentially important contribution to our knowledge of the origin and development of settlement along the Fen-edge. The nature of the Saxon presence can not be determined on the basis of the investigation. The presence of mid-Saxon pottery, which is normally quite rare, may be used to argue that there is a Saxon domestic presence within the area investigated or immediately adjacent to it. However, in strictly quantitative terms the number of artefacts is small. No trace was recovered of a prehistoric phase of occupation, although the presence of prehistoric pottery and flints is consistent with the use of the area for agriculture and pasture, the artefacts being deposited through normal manuring processes.Item Open Access Archaeological Investigations at Vicarage Way, Yaxley, Cambridgeshire 1993(Cambridge Archaeological Unit, Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge, 1993-12-30) Begg, CraneAn archaeological assessment was conducted at Vicarage Way, Yaxley, in advance of proposed housing development. Archaeological remains dating to the Medieval and Post-medieval period indicated that the area had once formed part of the field system associated with the Medieval manorial complex situated to the west (SMR 1028).Item Open Access An Archaeological Assessment at Forehill and Lisle Lane, Ely, Cambridgeshire 1993(Cambridge Archaeological Unit, Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge, 1993-12-30) Wait, Gerald; Wait, Gerald [0000-0002-1265-7953]An archaeological evaluation of a one hectare area of Ely, located at Forehill and Lisle Lane, was undertaken by the Cambridge Archaeological Unit on behalf of Bennett Plc, in accordance with a brief set by the Archaeology Office of Cambridgeshire County Council. Historic and Documentary research suggested the likelihood of significant archaeological remains along the Forehill frontage, to be correlated with the standing building number 47 Forehill. This building incorporates a 13-14th century crown-post roof structure, and is probably one surviving bay of a three-bay building. It is a listed building. Evaluation excavation confirmed the survival of more than 1.2 metres thickness of archaeological stratigraphy pre-dating the 19th century along most or all of the Forehill frontage (an area 20 metres wide along 50 metres of frontage). There appears to be less than 60 centimetres of recent disturbance on top of the sequence. Recovery of ‘wasters’ and kiln-furniture suggests the presence of a 14th century kiln and pottery production workshop within the vicinity. Watertable was reached above the base of stratigraphy, and the lowest layers visible contained degraded wood. The base of stratigraphy was not reached. The remainder of the area was found to be badly disturbed by 19-20th century buildings, especially those of the Forehill Brewery. Where these buildings stood no archaeological stratigraphy survives. In one gap between buildings a wall may be tentatively linked to a formal garden depicted in the area on the Speed map of 1610.Item Open Access An Archaeological Investigation of the Route of the Isleham-Ely Water Pipeline, Cambridgeshire(Cambridge Archaeological Unit, Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge, 1993-10-31) Gdaniec, KasiaThe investigation of the route of a water supply pipeline furnished the archaeological record with three significant site locations which essentially demonstrate that prehistoric land use and range from the Neolithic to Iron Age periods. Of prime importance was the investigation of the waterlogged relict channel of the former course of the Rover Snail. This provided a rich context for environmental data but, more importantly, for the fragments of human bone, Neolithic flintwork and pottery. The discovery of a new Iron Age site filled the gap in settlement history in the region. Natural depressions in the chalk landscape at the southeast end of the route had been employed as working/industrial hollows in the earlier Neolithic and were associated with earth-cut features containing substantial faunal assemblages. Other areas along the route indicated little more than the offsite background information expected in such investigation corridors.Item Open Access Archaeological Investigations in the Master's Garden, Jesus College, Cambridge(Cambridge Archaeological Unit, Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge, 1993-09-30) Gdaniec, KasiaHuman skeletons were discovered by workmen during service groundworks in the Master’s garden at Jesus College, Cambridge, former site of the parishioner’s cemetery of the chapel of the Convent of St Rhadegund (1133-1496). Rescue excavation was undertaken within the area of a junction box, from which the remains of at least fifteen bodies were recovered.Item Open Access Observations on the Cam West Bank King's College, Cambridge(Cambridge Archaeological Unit, Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge, 1991-03-31) Evans, ChristopherOn March 11, 1991, a series of pits cut for the insertion of shoring for a new riverside revetment behind King's College were recorded. 0.70m x 0.90m in size and 0.80m deep, they lay at intervals of 0.95m along the crest of the western riverside bank (at the foot of the rail fence) running from the north side of King's Bridge to the drain south of Clare Bridge. We had not been contracted to undertake this work and, therefore, were not in a position to expend any great length of time recording. What follows should only be considered as the most casual watching brief observations. While features were photographed and sketched, they were not formally drawn.Item Open Access Archaeological Investigations at Chapel Court, St, John's College, Cambridge - The Courtyard Site - 1993(Cambridge Archaeological Unit, Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge, 1993-09-30) Miller, JanetInvestigations conducted in Chapel Court, St John’s College, Cambridge, revealed the footings of buildings which had been demolished in the nineteenth century. These seventeenth and eighteenth century structures lined the north side of the cobbled St John’s Lane and formed the back end of properties which fronted onto Bridge Street. Beneath this the footings on an earlier building on the same alignment was exposed.Item Open Access Archaeological Investigations at Hinxton Quarry, Cambridgeshire 1993(Cambridge Archaeological Unit, Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge, 1993-09-30) Evans, ChristopherAnticipating a major extension to the site that had been previously investigated by Cambridgeshire Archaeology in 1991/92, an assessment was undertaken in the fields both north and south of the quarry. An extremely high density of surface lithics was recovered throughout, their character suggesting that the large flint cobbles within the terraces gravels were utilized for production. A later Neolithic site was recognized as a distinct surface spread in the north field, no features were however found to survive in association. Two cremations were recovered during the course of trial trenching across a ring ditch within the southern field. Evidently a ploughed-out barrow, during the later Bronze Age the monument apparently became a focus for flintworking: great quantities of ‘industrial’-type debris were recovered across its interior and in its re-cut ditch. Across the terrace is a dense cropmark network of field systems and associated settlement compounds, all evidently of Romano-British date. A droveway and parallel field boundary (the latter interrupting over the above described barrow) were sample excavated within the southern field; in the northern; a series of conjoining settlement enclosures. There is important evidence of Roman-to-(Post-) Medieval continuity inasmuch as a flanking ditch of an early droveway dictates the hedge-line bordering the present approach track to the quarry. In the north field a fine Middle Saxon brooch was recovered during fieldwalking. Subsequent metal detection survey indicated that it could not be cemetery associated. Th findspot was trial trenched and the brooch found to derive from the artifact backfill of a Grubenhaus. Whilst apart from a fenceline our investigation revealed no other contemporary features, the location of at least one other such house is suggested by a surface find of Saxon pottery.Item Open Access Archaeological Investigations at Rayner's Farm, Whittlesford, Cambridgeshire(Cambridge Archaeological Unit, Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge, 1993-08-30) Miller, JanetExcavations and a watching brief were carried on the fifteenth to sixteenth century timber frame farmhouse at Rayner’s Farm (NGR TL 465 485). The excavations in the ground floor of the main range revealed an eighteenth to nineteenth century dump deposit which sealed evidence of earlier timber floors and a possible house platform, which related to the present house. A watching brief also provided evidence on an earlier building, and exposed a clunch footing and floor which belonged to the present cross wing.Item Open Access Archaeological Investigations at New Hall, Cambridge 1993(Cambridge Archaeological Unit, Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge, 1993-07-31) Evans, ChristopherAnticipating the construction of a study centre and wing of student residences, in late June, 1993, a week-long archaeological assessment was undertaken in the grounds of New Hall College, Cambridge (TL 440595). Although Romano-British pottery was recovered from previous field survey in the grounds of the neighbouring Fitzwilliam College, no evidence of early settlement had been. It nevertheless was thought that the proximity of the site to Roman Cambridge warranted further investigation (250m northwest of the town wall). The Roman remains discovered at New Hall are certainly important and unique inasmuch as it is the first time unequivocal evidence of extramural Roman settlement per se has been found within the town itself.Item Open Access Archaeological Investigations at The Emplins, Gamlingay, Cambridgeshire 1993(Cambridge Archaeological Unit, Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge, 1993-07-31) Miller, JanetArchaeological investigations were carried out at ‘The Emplins’, Gamlingay, Cambridgeshire (TL 242 524) in advance of groundworks in the late fifteenth century north cross-wing. An eighteenth-century sunken diary was uncovered which occupied most of the area of investigation. In addition, a small area of undisturbed earlier contexts was observed. These yield no datable material but must predate the timber frames of both the hall and north ranges.Item Open Access Observations of Engineer's Test Pits at Duck End Farm, Godmanchester(Cambridge Archaeological Unit, Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge, 1993-07-31) Dickens, AlisonThe ten engineer's test pits dug on the development site at Duck End Farm, Godmanchester were examined on 12/3/93. The pits had already been backfilled, so for each a JCB bucket width (60cm) was opened on the edge to give an undisturbed section face.Item Open Access Archaeological Investigations at Fulbourn Hospital, for Addenbrookes NHS Trust(Cambridge Archaeological Unit, Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge, 1993-06-30) Gdaniec, KasiaAnticipating the construction of an Intensive Treatment Unit (ITU) at Fulbourn Hospital (TL 498/563) an archaeological investigation was conducted to mitigate the impact of the development on potentially surviving archaeological remains. The grounds of the Hospital had been investigated during the summer of 1993 when substantial evidence of earlier Bronze Age settlement was revealed. Such a discovery raised the importance of the grounds since few settlements are known in southern Cambridgeshire from that period. The likelihood of further archaeological features being present in the area of the new development was a strong possibility, necessitating evaluation. The archaeologically 'quiet' nature of this part of Fulbourn Hospital grounds suggests that the Bronze Age settlement does not extend this far south of the main site area in the rough field to the northwest. The previously found flints may be the result of displacement due to agricultural practices or that they are simply stray finds. Despite the lack of tangible archaeological remains, this investigation has been useful in providing negative evidence of the Bronze Age landscape.Item Open Access An Archaeological Desktop Study of Land South of Duck End Farm, Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire(Cambridge Archaeological Unit, Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge, 1993-05-31) Dickens, AlisonThis desk-top study was commissioned by Twigden Homes. The project consists of a desk-top study of the known and potential archaeology of the area on the southern perimeter of the Cambridgeshire town of Godmanchester, a total of 90 ha. incorporating the development area of 8.5 ha.Item Open Access An Archaeological Assessment at The Master's Forecourt, Emmanuel College, Cambridge(Cambridge Archaeological Unit, Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge, 1993-05-31) Dickens, AlisonAn archaeological assessment was carried out in the Master’s Lodge Forecourt of Emmanuel College, Cambridge. Evidence was found of the build up of agricultural soils datable to the Dominican Priory which occupied the site before the College. A boundary ditch and associated building may also be attributable to that period. With the foundation of the College the area was made into an orchard, and later converted to a formal garden. In recent times, the site has been a carpark.