Oxford Archaeology (Cambridge) unpublished report series

The excavation was carried out between the 29th August and the 2nd October 2006. Five areas (A - E) were opened, varying in area from 12m by 8m to 30m by 10m. Archaeology was encountered in all areas, varying from moderately dense to very dense. Some areas contained relatively complex sequences of activity that suggest multiple phases of occupation. The archaeology primarily consists of ditches, pits, gullies and structural remains forming enclosures, boundaries and buildings dating between the late 2nd century AD and the 13th century AD.

The eight trenches excavated during this evaluation revealed no significant archaeological features with the exception of post medieval pits and stakeholes. A small assemblage of struck and burnt flint was recovered from the subsoil.

Between 18th July and 5th September 2008 OA East (formerly CAM ARC, Cambridgeshire County Council) carried out an archaeological watching brief at Nene Washes, Peterborough (TL 26964 99199 to TF 32131 00680). The monitoring was carried out during the installation of four slackers (freshwater feeds) through the River Nene Cradge Bank which was constructed in 1726 when the path of the River Nene was changed. There was only minimal disturbance of the peat and alluvium below the post-medieval bank and no archaeology was encountered.

Three trenches were excavated in an area of proposed development off Music House Lane, Norwich. This revealed two large quarry pits, which were probably dug in the medieval period, being backfilled in the 15th and 16th centuries. Following this the area was open land. Map evidence indicates that the proposed development area was divided into two properties by 1789, one area being the back yard for buildings fronting King Street and Music House Lane the other being an orchard. Buildings are first indicated on this area on Millard and Manning's map of 1830, evidence for which was recorded during the evaluation. A further change of building location was noted in 1885 maps, while by 1914 all these buildings had been demolished and a school built on the site, the footings of which were encountered.

Post-excavation assessment and updated project design for the various phases of archaeological investigation undertaken at Loves Farm, St Neots Rural, by CCCAFU/CAMARC/OAE from 2003 to 2008. Excavations between 2003 and 2008 at Love's Farm, near St Neots. The bulk of the work was completed between February 2005 and March 2006. A second stage of excavation took place at the southern end of the site in July and August 2008. Excavation was constrained in places because of a high pressure gas main, which crossed the entire site from north-east to south-west and a high voltage overhead cable that crossed the site from south-east to north-west This revealed evidence for several centuries of land management dating to the Iron Age in the form of enhanced drainage channels, further enclosures, livestock management features and new roads. Evidence was found that a significant number of the existing boundaries on the site date to the late Iron Age and that they are still visible as hedgerows and drainage ditches. Round houses within large enclosures with associated features of drainage and livestock management dating to the late Iron Age were recorded. The evidence suggested nucleation of settlement within a possibly pre-existing grid pattern appeared in the late Iron Age, respecting earlier boundaries in the landscape. The results of excavations in 2008 seem to suggest that the roadway leads to one of the main enclosures on the site. During the excavation, large metalled roads and quarries dating to the Iron Age were recorded followed by it seemed a reversion to pastoral land towards the end of the Roman period. Evidence of an early Saxon presence was detected along the western boundary of the site with associated pottery but most importantly the careful placement of red deer antlers within the ditches and in a capping deposit of a 5th century well.

On the 17th - 25th July 2008 2006, OA East carried out an archaeological watching brief in Godmanchester (TL 24 70). This monitoring observed the excavation of a number of probing ground works, including bore holes, window samples, trial pits and sediment samples pits. These ground works were undertaken In advance of a proposed flood alleviation scheme The archaeological monitoring was unable to identify any archaeological features, artefacts or definitive archaeological layers. However, the work was successful in gaining an accurate deposit model in regards to the geology of western Godmanchester. Such a model may prove to be invaluable should any further archaeological works (evaluation or excavation) be undertaken in the area.

An archaeological evaluation was conducted at the Land adjacent to The Sports and Social Club, 31 The Wyches, Little Thetford (TL 5300 7659) by OA East on 9th July 2008, prior to the construction of two Multi-Use Games Areas (total area 37 x 37m). The work was commissioned by the Little Thetford Sports and Social Club Committee. OA East were commissioned to mechanically excavate a 25m x 2m trench within the footprint of the proposed new changing rooms. The evaluation revealed no archaeological features or remains.