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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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232

An Archaeological Watching Brief for Works along the Old West River 1997

Hall, C. (1997). An Archaeological Watching Brief for Works along the Old West River 1997. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 232

This report represents the results of a continuing programme of archaeological observations of engineering works being carried out along watercourses in the southeastern part of the Black Fen. These followed an initial desktop study by the Fenland Archaeological Trust and a field survey of the sites of proposed engineering works. No archaeological deposits were encountered and no features associated with the Old Dollard wind pump were observed.

233

Neolithic and Bronze Age Settlement and Environmental Reconstruction at Prickwillow Road and the Relict Snail River, Isleham, Cambridgeshire

Gdaniec, K., Edmonds, M., and Wiltshire, P. (1997). Neolithic and Bronze Age Settlement and Environmental Reconstruction at Prickwillow Road and the Relict Snail River, Isleham, Cambridgeshire. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 233

A water supply pipeline was installed between Isleham and Ely in southern Cambridgeshire by Anglian Water between 1993 and 1996. Archaeological sites were found on the chalk dryland and its fen-edge at the eastern end of the pipeline, while none were found in the larger, fen-crossing stretch which by-passed the few known sites in this low-lying region. Two of the chalk sites - the Middle Bronze Age occupation site at Prickwillow Road and the Neolithic-Bronze Age occupation site at the confluence of relict palaeochannels of the River Snail, provided unequivocal evidence of the richness of the Isleham area sites, corroborated by surface surveys which demonstrated its favoured location for occupation since Meolithic times. Both sites contributed new information for fenland and wider studies: a well-preserved environmental sequence from the Snail palaeochannel with its attendant varied lithic scatter sites; a miniature antler bow from Prickwillow Road (from contexts yielding high quantities of domesticated cattle bones) - which challenges traditional interpretations of archery artefacts (usually recovered from funerary contexts and association with an individual) being warrior-related, but instead may symbolise hunting and, perhaps, the arena for social interaction in a society dependant on cattle wealth.

234

The Sewage Treatment Works, Fengate, Peterborough: A Desktop Study

Lucas, G. (1997). The Sewage Treatment Works, Fengate, Peterborough: A Desktop Study. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 234

The archaeological implications for a proposed redevelopment of a disused sewage treatment works at Fengate, Peterborough have been assessed through consultation with existing documentation and new investigation through aerial photographic and augur surveys. The site lies within a nationally important prehistoric landscape characterised primarily by settlement and associated field systems but with a strong ritual component within the fen as exemplified through the Flag Fen causeway and platform. The present site has also been identified as lying within a similar environment and the potential for well-preserved prehistoric remains has been highlighted. Later land-use up to this century has been characterised as agricultural (meadow pasture) with a consequent decrease in archaeological significance.

235

A Watching Brief at 12-14 St. Edwards Passage, Cambridge

Alexander, M. (1997). A Watching Brief at 12-14 St. Edwards Passage, Cambridge. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 235

The Cambridge Archaeological Unit undertook a watching brief during the refurbishment of 12-14 St. Edwards Passage (Figure 1). The standing buildings date to the late 18th/early 19th century. In four areas of the buildings (Areas A, B, C, D) the existing solid floors were lifted by the contractors and the subsoils were inspected, cleaned and recorded by an archaeologist. In all four areas the subsoils were less than 10cms below existing ground level. The refurbishment of the floors did not require further excavation, therefore the features revealed at this depth were recorded but not excavated. A trial pit in Area C was also cleaned and recorded. Two features of note were recorded during the watching brief. In Area A the footings to a wall were found, parallel to the back wall of No. 13, indicating that the current building respects the alignment of an earlier structure. In Area C, the adjoining wall between Nos. 14 and 15 St. Edwards Passage rested on a substantial clunch foundation. The contrast between this foundation and the flimsy foundations on which the other walls rest suggests the clunch foundation is from an earlier structure. Other traces of this earlier structure may exist below No. 15. The traces of earlier buildings in Areas A and C are post-medieval and pre-date the existing structures, built in the late 18th/early 19th century, but cannot be more accurately dated.

236

Barleycroft farm: The Needingworth Skirtland: A Desktop Study

Evans, C. (1997). Barleycroft farm: The Needingworth Skirtland: A Desktop Study. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 236

Covering 10.3ha, the application site lies on the western edge of the Ouse floodplain on the fringe of the village of Needingworth (TL 350/722). This sub-triangular/'L'-shaped area extends for 750m along the west side of the current boundary of the ARC quarry at Barleycroft Farm/Needingworth and runs north from Overcote Lane; in the south a 150m wide swathe continues west to the edge of the village. Given the available evidence, Bronze Age and Romano-British fieldsystems extend through the area, and there is a possibility that some element of contemporary settlement/or 'in-field-type' activity will occur. Based on the Barleycroft precedent, 'ubiquitous' early prehistoric pit/finds clusters will certainly be present to some degree (Neolithic-Early Bronze Age). Extending up to the village fringe, traces of medieval and possibly Saxon fieldsystems could also be expected within the application site (probably antecedent to the pattern of ridge and furrow visible on aerial photographs).

237

Recording of a Well and Early Cellar Walls in the Basement of 76 Trumpington Street, Cambridge

Dickens, A. (1997). Recording of a Well and Early Cellar Walls in the Basement of 76 Trumpington Street, Cambridge. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 237

Removal of a concrete floor during building and repair work in the basement of 76 Trumpington Street in October 1995 revealed a substantial clunch lined well. Stripping of modern facings also gave access to wall elevations related to earlier buildings on the site. Work was paused to allow a rapid recording to be made by the author and David Edgar of the University's Estate Management and Building Service.

238

The Archaeology of Colne Fen: A Desktop Study

Regan, R. and Evans, C. (1997). The Archaeology of Colne Fen: A Desktop Study. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 238

Commissioned by ARC, this study collates all available information concerning the known and potential archaeological remains in the vicinity of the extension of their Earith Quarry. Extending over approximately 82 hectares, the site is located on the fen-edge 1km east of the village of Somersham, northeast of where the River Great Ouse enters the fen basin

239

Trinity Master's Lodge: The Basement Excavations

Alexander, M. (1998). Trinity Master's Lodge: The Basement Excavations. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 239

Excavations by the Cambridge Archaeological Unit were undertaken in mitigation of deepening the basements of the Master's Lodge and ancillary drainage works at Trinity College, Cambridge. Two main phases of activity were revealed. The earliest phase dated to the 12th/13th century and comprised features related to the laneway that ran dozen to the hythes on the riverside. These features included part of a path and some wheel ruts. Part of the conduit laid in 1325 was excavated, including a length of pipe that had been repaired in the 16th century . The conduit followed the alignment of the lane way. The later phase, including a clunch and stone wall foundation, was interpreted as part of Trinity Master's Lodge and ancillary buildings constructed in the mid 16th century. Sections of a wall belonging to this phase were found encased in the fabric of the standing basement wall .

240

The Iron Age settlement at Greenhouse Farm, Fen Ditton, Cambridge: A Trench Assessment

Mortimer, R. (1997). The Iron Age settlement at Greenhouse Farm, Fen Ditton, Cambridge: A Trench Assessment. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 240

The site (centred on TL 490 594) is located directly to the north of Cambridge Airport in the parish of Fen Ditton. The evaluation area encompasses two fields, the smaller, southern one adjacent to the Newmarket Road, the larger, northern field forms an L-shape, part of which has been covered by recent development. The site covers an area of c. 14ha (the area available for assessment, 11 hectares). The evaluation was undertaken on behalf of Marshall of Cambridge (Airport Properties) Ltd. and took place between the 22nd of September & 2nd of October. The evaluation uncovered two distinct, and spatially separate, Iron Age settlement areas, that covering the north-east part of the northern field, and that at the south and east of the southern field. The two are linked chronologically in that as occupation of the southern site finishes that at the northern begins. There are at least two distinct alignments within the field svstem in the northern field one of which may represent an earlier field system, parts of which have been incorporated into the settlements as they grew or moved. It is possible that parts of the system may prove to be of Bronze Age date, either abandoned and re-colonised in the Early Iron Age or demonstrating continual activity.

241

Archaeological Investigations at Owl's End Road, Bury, Cambridgeshire

Begg, C. and Lucas, G. (1997). Archaeological Investigations at Owl's End Road, Bury, Cambridgeshire. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 241

Fieldwork was carried out by the Cambridge Archaeological Unit on behalf of Galliford Homes, at Bury, near Ramsay, in advance of residential development on 3.5ha of land immediately to the east of Owl's End Road (TL 284 387). The work took place in two phases, between the 22nd August and 7th September and again between the 26th September and 6th Oct. 1994. The initial phase comprised a survey of surviving earthworks and subsequent trial trenching with excavation of archaeological features.

242

An Archaeological Survey at Crimplesham Quarry, West Dereham, Norfolk

Hall, D. (1998). An Archaeological Survey at Crimplesham Quarry, West Dereham, Norfolk. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 242

An application for the extraction of carrstone at an extension to Crimplesham quarry, has been granted by Norfolk County Council to Frimstone Ltd subject to a condition for a programme of archaeological works (Planning no. ENV/C/2/96/2029). The proposed quarry is in an area of archaeological interest, and Principal Landscape Archaeologist of Norfolk Landscape Archaeology, Mr. David Gurney, has requested an initial stage of survey by fieldwalking and metal- detecting.

243

Highfield Farm, Littleport, Cambridgeshire: A Desktop Study

Lucas, G. (1998). Highfield Farm, Littleport, Cambridgeshire: A Desktop Study. Cambridge Archaeological Unit report no. 243

Lying on the western side of a sand and gravel capped island in the fen, the site appears to have been primarily agricultural since Roman times, comprising part of the extra-settlement field systems of Littleport. Prior to this however, it seems to have been the focus of prehistoric activity specifically Bronze Age occupation. In summary, the nature of archaeology expected within the area is probably characterised by Romano-British/Medieval field ditches and Bronze Age settlement, neither of which, however, is likely to be dense.

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