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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. 

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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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104

An Archaeological Recording Exercise at Butts Green, Whittlesford, Cambridgeshire

Gdaniec, K. (1994). An Archaeological Recording Exercise at Butts Green, Whittlesford, Cambridgeshire. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 104

Archaeological monitoring was conducted during the initial ground reduction for the construction of ten new houses by the Granta Housing Society Ltd. The monitoring exercise had been requested by Development Control of the County Archaeology Office since the development area lay immediately south of a large moated site and the former location of a substantial eighteenth century lodge (TL 476/485)l. The likelihood of archaeological remains being present was, therefore, high although wholly contingent on the formation level for the construction. The monitoring and recording exercise was successful in the discovery and dating of archaeological remains present at the southwesternmost end of the development area. The presence of structures, boundaries and rubbish pits is not out of place in this location since the expectation of recovering settlement features in close proximity to church and manor is high. Should a greater area have been reduced to similar levels, it is likely that further evidence would be gained that would clarify the nature of this settlement.

105

Archaeological Investigations at Kettle's Yard, Cambridge

Evans, C. (1994). Archaeological Investigations at Kettle's Yard, Cambridge. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 105

Recording brief observations were undertaken during the lowering of the access ramp/stairway ay Kettle�s Yard Gallery, Cambridge (TL 4555 5907) in March-April 1994. Laying on the southern side of Castle Street mid-way up upper town hillside, the site lies approximately 200m northwest of the river crossing along the eastern margin of the Roman Cambridge. The Churchyard of St Peter�s, of probable 12th century foundation, borders on the gallery. From informal observations during the re-building of its boundary wall in September 1991, the possible recovery of a few skeletons was anticipated. Therefore, although the location of the site was considered important, the archaeological impact of these works was thought to be minimal. During the course of the investigations not only was the density of inhumations found to be far greater than anticipated (c.25), but also the depth of construction related disturbance (0.9m). Major archaeological remains, including a robust masonry feature were exposed. To main horizons of Roman activity/occupation were identified I � the processing complex, II the rammed floor building. Phase III represents medieval churchyard activity; no Saxon material was recovered during the course of these investigations.

106

An Archaeological Site Evaluation at St Andrew's Church, Impington, Cambridgeshire

Gibson, D. (1994). An Archaeological Site Evaluation at St Andrew's Church, Impington, Cambridgeshire. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 106

An archaeological evaluation was conducted within the footprint of the proposed new church hall to adjoin the existing vestry of the medieval Church of St Andrew, Impington (TL 448/632) on the 30th June 1994. This had been requested by Development Control of the County Archaeology Office as part of the planning application since it was highly likely that the area would contain unrecorded inhumations. The aim of the exercise was to determine the density of burials and the chance discovery of other archaeological remains. The evaluation conclusively showed the expected dense burial pattern usually evident around the perimeter of a church. This pattern matches results from similar excavations at St Andrew's the Great, Cambridge; Jesus College Chapel (formerly St Rhadegunds Convent) and the Church of St Peter (near Kettles Yard). While no structural or other tangible archaeological remains were evident, the presence of the Saxo-Norman pottery raises the importance of the cemetery especially in view of potential pre-church land use.

107

Preliminary Archaeological Research for Watson's Lane Development, Little Thetford, Ely, Cambridgeshire

Gdaniec, K. and Butler, R. (1994). Preliminary Archaeological Research for Watson's Lane Development, Little Thetford, Ely, Cambridgeshire. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 107

An archaeological evaluation was commissioned by Persimmon Homes as part of a planning application for the construction of 100 new houses on a plot west of Watson's Lane, Little Thetford, near Ely, Cambs. A brief for this work was set by the County Archaeology Office (CAO: Development Control) requesting the division of the evaluation into two parts. The first would entail the preparation of a report discussing the archaeological and historical background, the results of an aerial photographic search and the survey of the extant ridge and furrow of the Medieval open field system. A second stage of this preliminary work will entail a trial trenching programme designed to assess the potential for other archaeological remains that may survive beneath the ridges of the agricultural system. This report, then, deals with the known information gathered from the Sites and Monuments Record (SMR; based in the CAO), cartographic and documentary research and the earthwork survey results.

108

An Archaeological Survey of the Cambridge Lakes Golf Course Environs, North Trumpington, Cambridge

Gdaniec, K. (1994). An Archaeological Survey of the Cambridge Lakes Golf Course Environs, North Trumpington, Cambridge. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 108

This survey of archaeological sites and monuments has been commissioned to establish the potential for the presence or absence archaeological remains in an area of investigation around a new golf course at the southern boundary of the city of Cambridge. The catalyst for this survey was the lack of provision for archaeological investigation prior to golf course construction, in an area of Cambridge long known for its significant archaeological remains. A radius of roughly 1km around the golf course was studied for elements and traces of former occupation and land use patterns, the extent of those sites and to predict whether their presence would raise the status of the land to one of archaeological importance.

109

Archaeological Investigations at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge (The Dining Hall Site) 1994

Hind, D., Marsden, I., and Evans, C. (1994). Archaeological Investigations at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge (The Dining Hall Site) 1994. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 109

A programme of archaeological evaluation was undertaken anticipating the construction of a new dining room in Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge. To be situated behind Chapel Court between Garden Court and the concourse (fig. 6), if the building proceeds its foundations (especially the basemented Air Handling Plant and Wine Cellar) w i l l penetrate the subsoil, disturbing or destroying all archaeological deposits. Although lying well back from the street frontage (c. 40m), the site is situated close to the bridgehead crossing of the Cam and could offer important insights into the early development of the town. The plot's history is one of the institutional succession of 'cloistered' communities - a medieval monastery to an 'historical' college - and all that implies in terms of economic, structural and social change. This report is divided into two sections: background archival study followed by the results of trial excavations and watching brief observations undertaken in July 1994.

110

Archaeological Excavations in the Master's Forecourt, Emmanuel College, Cambridge 1993

Dickens, A. (1994). Archaeological Excavations in the Master's Forecourt, Emmanuel College, Cambridge 1993. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 110

Excavation was carried out anticipating the construction of the Emmanuel Master�s Forecourt Building. The excavation revealed evidence of early medieval soils, perhaps derived from gardening or farming activity which may relate to the early Priory period or just pre-date it. At some stage, certainly within the early life of the Monastery, a large tank and accompanying ditch were dug, the ditch taking water away to the north. Whilst the tank may have been used for fish keeping, the environmental evidence does not tend to support this, and it seems the tank formed part of a major water management system which might have included other tanks and ditches across the site as a whole. In the 14th century the tank and ditch were filled in and a stone building was constructed over the backfill. Judging from its remains this was a substantial, perhaps two storey, structure with a tiled roof and decorated with painted window glass and embossed floor tiles. A ditch was dug to the east of the building, into the backfill of the earlier tank, probably for drainage. The Monastery was surrendered in 1538 and the land passed through several sets of hands. Around 1545 the stone building was demolished and the stone sold off. On, possibly two, timber framed buildings were erected and at some stage a brick conduit was inserted, again probably for drainage. The timber framed buildings may have survived until the foundation of the College in 1584, but were certainly gone by the time of Hamond�s 1592 map of Cambridge, when the site had become the Master�s Garden. It remained garden until the middle years of the 20th century when it became a car park.

111

Archaeological Investigations at Watson's Lane, Little Thetford, Ely, Cambridgeshire

Gdaniec, K. (1994). Archaeological Investigations at Watson's Lane, Little Thetford, Ely, Cambridgeshire. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 111

Archaeological fieldwork was carried out at Little Thetford, near Ely in the week of 15th-22nd July 1994. The evaluation was commissioned by Persimmon Homes in advance of an extensive residential development in a 3.7ha field on the west side of Watson's Lane, Little Thetford, Ely, Cambridgeshire (TL 5277/7625). This report completes the second part of a two-staged evaluation of the earthwork field and its immediate environs. An archaeological brief, prepared by the County Archaeology Office (CAO: Development Control), outlined the mitigation of the planning condition concerning the development of about 100 new houses on the west side of the village. The first part of the evaluation concerned research into the archaeological and historical background of the site and included air photographic study and an earthwork survey of ridge and furrow remains (SMR 09873). The second part involved a trial trenching programme to test any results from the background research and to determine the presence or absence of earlier archaeological remains sealed by the Medieval ridge and furrow. The archaeological features of a largely Romano-British settlement, probably a farmstead, were concentrated at the west end of the field in Trenches IV and V. Numerous ditches, aligned NW-SE and NE-SW (return angles of small enclosures, perhaps) were interspersed with occasional pits or postholes. Some of the features were partially masked by furrow or lower ridge soils.

112

Firs Farm, Caxton, Cambridgeshire : An Archaeological Desktop Study

Dickens, A. (1994). Firs Farm, Caxton, Cambridgeshire : An Archaeological Desktop Study. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 112

The report was commissioned by D . H . Barford and Co., on behalf of the J.K. Millard & Sons, in response to a brief set by the Archaeology Section of Cambridgeshire County Council. The project consists of a desk-top study of the known and potential archaeology of the area around Firs Farm, Caxton, a total of 3.65ha. The development is divided into three areas: Area A - Residential development. Area B - Conversion and rebuilding of farm buildings and landscaping. Area C - Demolition of buildings, conversions and landscaping

113

Archaeological Investigations at Lordship Lane Cottenham, Cambridgeshire 1994

Butler, R. and Wait, G. (1994). Archaeological Investigations at Lordship Lane Cottenham, Cambridgeshire 1994. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 113

A second stage archaeological evaluation of a 3.2 hectare area was undertaken on the northern/northwestern periphery of Cottenham village by the Cambridge Archaeological Unit in April 1994, on behalf of Mr V Donnelly, and in accordance with a brief set by he Archaeological Office of Cambridgeshire County Council. The evaluation was designed with two objectives. The first was to determine the extent of a mid-late Saxon and Medieval site located immediately to the eat of west of Lordship Lane revealed in the 1993 assessment. The second objective was to assess the date, origin, and nature of relict earthworks in the pasture field to the south/southeast of the Moated site, and to ascertain whether other archaeological remains were present in the area. The 1994 assessment included an extensive geophysical survey, followed by a sequential sampling programme of the area by test pits, test stations and trial trenches (which complemented that conducted in the 1993 assessment). The sampling programme extended across the pasture field located to the south of Crowland�s Moat (a Scheduled Ancient Monument) where an earthwork survey was conducted in 1993. The geophysics survey, test stations, and trial trenches established the extent of the Saxon period site in the Crowlands/Lordship Lane area. The presence of a superimposed Medieval phase of rectilinear fields was confirmed. To the north side of this site, a northeast-southeast Saxo-Norman droveway was revealed possibly representing a reorganization of the landscape, created by the Norman Bishops of Ely during the late 11th-12th century. The nature of the Saxo-Norman presence can not be determined on the basis of the investigation, however, the extent of archaeological features appears to be confined within the Crowlands Lane area evident from the 1993 assessment. The 1994 assessment indicated that Lordship Lane was probably used from the Medieval period onwards as a thoroughfare leading to infield/outfield systems to the north. In the pasture field south of the Crowlands Moat site, two northwest-southeast 14th century ditches forming a trackway were identified which possibly provided access to the moat and/or field systems in the area. A gradual northeast linear expansion may be implied along the higher Greensand ride culminating in the layout of field boundaries and thoroughfares during the 14th century. This pattern is reflected in the present boundary divisions, which are evident on the enclosure maps and parish maps. C.1842. The assessment generally confirmed that the whole of the area witnessed extensive activity during the Post-medieval period. The evaluation of the area south of the Moated site revealed a developed garden soil, a cobbled backlane, yards and ditches forming the backs of properties fronting on to the High Street. During the 18th-19th century, the area was probably landscaped with the construction of ponds, reverting to a mixed economy of pasture, arable and horticulture in modern times. No evidence was found to indicate a prehistoric phase of occupation. The continuing presence of prehistoric pottery and flints is consistent with the use of the area for agriculture and pasture, with artefacts being deposited through normal manuring practices.

114

West Fen Road to Cawdle Fen, Ely, Cambridgeshire : An Archaeological Assessment for the Anglia Water Sewage Pipeline

Alexander, M. (1994). West Fen Road to Cawdle Fen, Ely, Cambridgeshire : An Archaeological Assessment for the Anglia Water Sewage Pipeline. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 114

An archaeological assessment was carried out along the proposed route of the sewer pipeline to the south of Ely. A scatter of finds to the north of the A142 and to the west of the A10 indicated late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age settlement but no associated features survived deep ploughing. Four heavily truncated features were investigated and found to be of Roman or later date.

115

Archaeological Investigations: The Bishop's Garden, Ely Cathedral, Cambridgeshire

Alexander, M. (1994). Archaeological Investigations: The Bishop's Garden, Ely Cathedral, Cambridgeshire. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 115

An excavation was carried out in the Bishop�s garden in August 1994, in connection with the renewal of the rainwater drainage system to the south of Ely cathedral. Evidence for the twelfth- and fifteenth century positions of the west cloister walk was uncovered. The existing garden wall appears to have been built on the foundations of the 15th century window wall. The footings for the twelfth-century window wall were found to the east of the garden wall. Five metres west of the garden wall, a robbing trench provided evidence for the position of the fifteenth century outer wall of the cloister walk. There was considerable evidence for occupation in the area west of the cloister. Substantial rubble foundation, on an alignment diverging from that of the cathedral, were uncovered east of the south-west transept. South of the transept was a short stretch of rubble wall footings that seem to extend below the wall of the transept. A square-ended foundation block, excavated two metres south of these footings, may be part of the same structure. Occupation deposits were found west of the transept, and south of the cathedral. In the latter area, human bone had been recovered from one of the test pits dug in February-March 1994, but the deposit could not be further investigated as it lay below the level required for the drainage excavation. The scope of the investigation was limited to the requirements of the excavation connected with the renewed drainage system. The findings, however, have shown the site to have considerable archaeological potential, particularly the rubble foundations which may antedate the construction of the cathedral.

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