| Title: |
Late Iron Age and Early Roman Remains at Alconbury Airfield: An Archaeological Evaluation, Stage 2 |
| Number of Pages: |
23 |
| Biblio Note |
Please note that this is a bibliographic record only, as originally entered into the BIAB database.
The ADS have no files for download, and unfortunately cannot advise further on where to access hard copy or digital versions.
|
| Publication Type: |
Report
|
| Abstract: |
An archaeological evaluation was undertaken as part of Stage 2 of an evaluation project, in advance of a Public Inquiry into the proposed redevelopment of the airfield. Seven trenches were excavated, which revealed the presence of archaeological remains (namely ditches and post holes) in Trenches 2B(ii) and 2C(i). The five trenches with no archaeological features had been disturbed by 20th century activity. The excavation of Trench 2B(ii) revealed the presence of a narrow ditch of uncertain function on a north-east to south-west alignment. It contained one fill that produced post-medieval tile. By contrast, the geophysical 'trends' observed in the southern part of the trench were found on excavation to correspond to natural variations in the clay background. Trench 2C(i) revealed the presence of six linear ditches, four post holes and a gully/slot that seemed to have belonged to at least two phases of rural activity in the area. Most features matched the geophysical anomalies predicted in Area 2 and described as 'possible archaeology' and generic 'trends'. Phase I (Late Middle Iron Age) consisted of two broad and deep ditches that corresponded to a large enclosure-like feature revealed by the geophysical survey and described as generic 'trends'. One of the enclosure ditches had been truncated by a series of post holes and by a gully/slot possibly representing a semicircular post-built structure of uncertain function. A further ditch may have formed part of a smaller sub-rectangular enclosure. Finally, two ditches parallel to each other and adjacent to the large enclosure were interpreted as representing the remains of a co-axial field system of Late Middle Iron Age date similar to that identified in Stage 1 (Rail Link) of the evaluation. The two ditches had not been detected during the geophysical survey. Phase II consisted of a linear ditch located by the geophysical survey to the south of the small Late pre-Belgic Iron Age enclosure. It may have also been part of an enclosure that was dated to the Late Iron Age (Belgic)/early Roman period. [Au(abr)] |
| Author: |
S Macaulay
R Casa Hatton
|
| Publisher: |
Cambridgeshire County Council Archaeological Field Unit
|
| Year of Publication: |
2001
|
| Subjects / Periods: |
|
| Note: |
Date Of Issue From:
2001
Date Of Coverage From:
01
Date Of Coverage To:
01
Editorial Expansion:
Site name: STAGE 2, ALCONBURY AIRFIELD
Study area: 3ha
Investigation type: Evaluation
District: Huntingdonshire
Monument: PIT. Modern (1901-present), POST HOLE. Modern (1901-present), POST HOLE. Prehistoric, [finds]. Roman (AD43-410), [finds]. Iron Age, [finds]. Middle Iron Age, [finds]. Prehistoric, POST HOLE. Middle Iron Age, DITCH. Post-medieval (1540-1901), [finds]. Post
Ngr: TL21007700
Parish: Alconbury
Postcode: PE284WX
|
| Source: |
BIAB
(Archaeological Investigations Project (AIP))
|
| Created Date: |
18 Jan 2009 |
