Heritage Gateway

Cambridgeshire HER

If you have any comments or new information about this record, please email us.

CHER Number:	CB15551
Type of record:	Monument
Name:	Late Saxon and Medieval occupation evidence, 2 West End, Ely

Summary

Excavations revealed a range of deposits relating to Late Saxon and Medieval occupation on this site.

Grid Reference:	TL 536 802
Parish:	Ely, East Cambridgeshire, Cambridgeshire

Monument Type(s):

DITCH (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
PIT (12th century to 14th century - 1150 AD to 1350 AD)
QUARRY? (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
DITCH (Late Saxon to 12th century - 851 AD to 1200 AD)
ENCLOSURE? (11th century to 12th century - 1001 AD to 1200 AD)
DITCH (12th century to 14th century - 1150 AD to 1400 AD)
DITCH (13th century to 14th century - 1250 AD to 1400 AD)
ROAD? (12th century to 14th century - 1150 AD to 1400 AD)
BEAM SLOT? (13th century - 1201 AD to 1300 AD)
PIT (13th century to 14th century - 1201 AD to 1400 AD)
POST HOLE (13th century to 14th century - 1201 AD to 1400 AD)
DITCH (13th century to 14th century - 1201 AD to 1400 AD)
FEATURE (13th century to 14th century - 1201 AD to 1400 AD)
DEPOSIT SEQUENCE (13th century to 15th century - 1201 AD to 1500 AD)
DITCH (13th century to 15th century - 1201 AD to 1500 AD)
DRAIN (13th century to 15th century - 1201 AD to 1500 AD)
POST HOLE (Late Saxon to Medieval - 851 AD to 1539 AD)

Associated Finds:

FISH REMAINS (Undated)
SLAG (Unknown date)
SHERD (Roman to Medieval - 43 AD to 1539 AD)
DRAIN PIPE (13th century to 15th century - 1201 AD to 1500 AD)
DRESSED STONE (13th century to 15th century - 1201 AD to 1500 AD)

Associated Events:

Excavation at 2 West End, Ely, 2000 (Ref: ELY WE 01)
Evaluation at 2 West End, Ely, 1999 (Ref: ELY WE 99)

Full description

1. An evaluation revealed extensive remains of medieval occupation, but no direct evidence of structures. An intact medieval layer was preserved in the northern half of the site, and some intact layers also in the more disturbed southern half. The alignment of features appears to relate not to the present street frontage onto West End, but rather to a route/boundary to the north. Most features contained pottery dating to 1150-1350 AD, although three in the north-eastern part dated to 900-1150, and one to 800-900. A small number of Roman and early-middle Saxon sherds were also recovered. The occupation appears to be domestic in character, although a small quantity of smithing slag was also found in several features. One late medieval drain was made of Ely ware pottery drainpipes.
2.. Excavation in 2000 revealed further features spanning the Late Saxon to the post-medieval period. Late Saxon and medieval pottery was recovered from ditches, pits, postholes, beamslots and dump layers, along with a small amount of pottery dating to the Romano-British period. An in situ drainpipe of probable 13th to 15th century date may indicate the presence of a building of relatively high status on the site at this time. Faunal remains provide limited evidence for the exploitation of sheep and cattle, as well as wildfowl, geese and fish. Plant remains include economic and wild taxa, indicating the character and usage of the local environment.
The site may lie on the southern boundary of the core of the Late Saxon and medieval town.

<1> Kenney, S., 1999, Anglo-Saxon and Medieval deposits at 2, West End, Ely: An Archaeological Evaluation (Unpublished report). SCB17336.

<2> Abrams, J., 2003, Late Saxon to Post-Medieval Activity at 2 West End, Ely: An Archaeological Excavation (Unpublished report). SCB18744.

Sources and further reading