| Abstract: |
The general objective of the evaluation was to provide further information on the likely
archaeological resource within the site, including its presence/absence, character,
extent, date and state of preservation. This information will enable the LPA, as
advised by EPS, to identify and assess the particular significance of any
archaeological heritage assets within the site, consider the impact of the proposed
development upon that significance and, if appropriate, develop strategies to avoid
or minimise conflict between heritage asset conservation and the development
proposal, in line with the National Planning Policy Framework (MHCLG 2021). A
further objective of the project is to compile a stable, ordered, accessible project
archive (see Section 7).
More specific objectives of the evaluation were to:
• investigate features of probable and possible archaeological origin identified
by the geophysical survey (SUMO 2021),
• confirm the presence or absence of any archaeological features in those
areas which appear devoid of features, and to act as a means of prospection
for remains of a type or period that may not respond to gradiometer survey,
• attempt to delimit the extent of the cemetery known to the immediate south of
the development area,
• look at the relationship between the fort/town and the temple complex to the
east and at the occupation/use of the land in between – specifically the
purpose of the enclosures,
• assess the significance of this occupation/land use,
• relate the results of the evaluation to both the East Anglian Research
Framework and the EAA Great Chesterford publication.
The evaluation fieldwork comprised the excavation of 166 trenches (Figs. 3 & 3b):
• 163no. 30m x 1.8 trenches; and
• 3no. 30m x 4m trenches.
The trenches were located to test geophysical anomalies and to provide a
representative sample of the remainder of the site. Twenty trenches were removed
from the original number of trenches stated within the WSI, with the approval of EPA,
as it became clear that large areas of the site were totally devoid of archaeology and
one trench was removed due to its proximity to a powerline. Trenches kept their
original numbering hence the trenches are numbered to 177. The trenches were
excavated in two phases, the 1st phase in November and December 2021 excavated
the first 24 trenches with the remaining trenches excavated in the 2nd phase in
January and February 2022. In November and December 2021, and January and February 2022, Cotswold Archaeology carried out an archaeological evaluation of land at Walden Road, Great Chesterford, Essex. A total of 167 trenches were excavated during the two phases.
Despite its proximity to the Roman fort and town immediately to the west, and to the locations of large contemporary and later cemeteries, the evaluation recorded a largely agricultural landscape with transit routes to the north and east, two small stock enclosures, a single burial and a probable Roman quarry. Artefactual and environmental assemblages were limited and of little significance. Two long linear features, a holloway and a boundary ditch are potentially Middle Bronze Age in date, the holloway perhaps earlier, the remainder of the features recorded being of 1st to 3rd century date. There was limited Medieval or Post-Medieval activity, with an area of gravel quarrying close to the main Newmarket Road. |
