Series: Oxford Archaeology (Cambridge) unpublished report series

Following an archaeological evaluation in June 2010 Oxford Archaeology East was commissioned by FE Peacock to undertake an open area excavation on land rear of 1 Oakington Road Cottenham. This work was carried out between the 26th and 29th of July 2010. A wide shallow ditch dating to the medieval period and a series of modern features were found.

An evaluation was carried out by OA East on the 1st and 2nd July 2013, at 30-31 Occupation Road, Cambridge, Grid ref. TL 4623 5879. A single 10m long trench was positioned at the south side of the site to avoid above ground obstructions. The site is located within an area of historical and archaeological significance; the proximity of Barnwell Priory and the lay settlement of Barnwell (recently subject to excavation at the corner of Newmarket Road and Coldhams Lane to the east of the subject site) are of particular significance. Extensive early 19th century gravel quarrying is known to have been undertaken in the vicinity, and by the early 19th century the site had been developed for domestic housing. From the mid 20th century onwards the residential housing in this area was gradually replaced by commercial properties. The site is located within an area of known post-medieval quarrying as noted on adjacent sites. It is also thought to be sited within the medieval lay settlement associated with Barnwell Priory. Features of possible medieval date were found during this investigation, they have been interpreted as medieval or later quarrying activity, since associated pottery dating to the mid 12th century to mid 14th century was recovered from their fills and there were no later finds, it should be noted, however, that the pottery was heavily abraded suggesting it had been lying in the soil for a considerable time before finally being deposited in these pits. Evidence for 19th century building expansion was also found during the evaluation.

On the 4th of March 2020, Oxford Archaeology East (OAE) conducted an archaeological investigation in the back gardens of the residential property 118 Mereside, Soham, Cambridgeshire (centred on TL 58709 73993) in advance of its redevelopment. Two trial trenches were excavated. The site was almost devoid of archaeological remains with only one possible Neolithic pit identified towards the north-western end of Trench 1, while archaeology was completely absent in Trench 2. The findings indicate a low level of prehistoric activity on the shoreline of the Soham Mere; a now drained prehistoric freshwater lake.

Two main phases of development were identified during the survey. The earliest phase comprised the construction of a large double pile house/villa during the mid 19th century followed soon after by the addition of shop units built up to the street frontage in the late 19th century and the conversion of the existing house into two separate first-floor flats. Some later single storey lean-to additions were created at the rear of the building in the early-mid 20th century. As part of the historical research, the earliest map consulted was the 1859 Plan of the Parish of Islington which shows Junction Road with very little residential development and no obvious depiction of the current building/s surveyed. The first cartographic depiction of the site appears in the 1871 Town Plan. However, additional research indicates the original house may have been constructed around 1850 when it was possibly called Cathcart Lodge. Further background research carried out at Islington's History Centre revealed a date of construction of the shops as around 1885 when they are first listed in the Post Office Directories. These directories, as well as a series of photographic images taken in the early 20th century, provide an interesting account of the changing uses of the commercial units the people who occupied them. When the site survey was undertaken, the buildings were found to be in a very poor state of repair having suffered from rain damage, vandalism and poor internal maintenance. There were some original 19th century features remaining including windows and elements of the shop frontages, however, most fixtures or fittings or architectural or historical value had been removed. A small number of interesting features were found to have been concealed behind 20th century shop fittings within 130b including ceiling cornices and a ceiling rose thought to be located within what would have been one of the formal reception rooms on the ground floor of the original Victorian villa.

On the 7th March 2016 Oxford Archaeology East undertook a photographic survey at 143 Oundle Road, Woodston, Peterborough (TL 18529 97823). The survey concentrated on a range of buildings comprising a cottage, a workshop and a barn. This was carried out in advance of proposed demolition and redevelopment of the site for residential dwellings.

During the 10th and 11th October 2016 Oxford Archaeology East undertook a two trench evaluation at 16 Station Road, Littleport (TL 5706 8691). Trench one, at the rear of the plot, contained no archaeological features. Trench two revealed evidence for Roman salt production, including an assemblage of briquetage, a possible in situ structure and patches of burning, all located c.1.5m below modern ground level. Although not fully excavated the presence of a potentially in-situ structure suggests this was part of a much larger saltern site; an associated Romano-British pottery assemblage, including some imported wares, suggests the activity was taking place during the late 2nd and early 3rd centuries AD. A number of sherds of medieval pottery, including Grimston ware (AD 1200-1500), were found within the layers sealing the saltern.

On 16th-17th November 2016, following demolition of 20th century houses, Oxford Archaeology East opened two trenches totalling 20m in length at 186-188 Histon Road, Cambridge (TL 4437 6002) within the footprint of the proposed development area. Two small presumed post-medieval ditches were found paralleling Histon Road. Most of the rest of the evaluated area was truncated to depths exceeding 1m by large backfilled pits. These are thought to relate to the 19th century brickworks which lay some 250m to the west.

This work was carried out in response to a brief issued by Essex County Council's Historical Environment Team. The brief required that a survey (equivalent to an English Heritage Level 2 Survey) was carried out on the existing buildings prior to alterations to the original fabric. Five main phases of development were identified during the survey; construction of the principal stable building with central and end

Between 25th and 26th of February 2018, Oxford Archaeology East conducted a programme of archaeological monitoring and recording at the site of 22 Taylors Lane, Swavesey (centred TL 3600 6902), in advance of a development comprising a two storey extension, internal alterations and construction of a raised rear terrace. The site is located within the 'Castle Hill' earthworks, comprising earthworks associated with a medieval castle and planned town, which are a scheduled monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 (National Heritage List for England Entry No. 1006913; Cambridgeshire HER ref DCB337). The investigation revealed evidence for the earthworks associated with the planned town, in the form of intercutting ditches, the latest of which is dated via ceramic evidence to between AD1300-1450, and from which a quantity of faunal remains was recovered, including horse, sheep/goat and pig. Additionally, a post-medieval metalled surface was recorded sealing the ditches; its function and overall plan were not discernible.

Between 1st September and 11th September 2015, Oxford Archaeology East (OA East) carried out an archaeological evaluation at 270 Cambridge Science Park, Milton, Cambridgeshire (TL 4636 6205). A total of seven trenches were excavated with an undated ditch, a possible furrow, a glacial feature and a modern footpath being found. The trenching indicated that the development area had seen significant truncation and landscaping in the recent past, possibly related to the activities on site during the Second World War. This activity and the impact of modern development on the area means that the majority of any undesignated heritage assets that may have been in the area have been significantly truncated.