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Summary - not yet available

Monument Type(s):

• RECTILINEAR ENCLOSURE (Middle Iron Age to Late Iron Age - 400 BC to 42 AD)
• TRACKWAY (Middle Iron Age to Late Iron Age - 400 BC to 42 AD)
• SUB CIRCULAR ENCLOSURE (Middle Iron Age to Late Iron Age - 400 BC to 42 AD)
• SETTLEMENT (Early Iron Age to 5th century Roman - 800 BC to 409 AD)
• PALAEOCHANNEL (Prehistoric - 500000 BC to 42 AD)
• FIELD SYSTEM (Middle Iron Age to Late Iron Age - 400 BC to 42 AD)
• PADDOCK (Middle Iron Age to Late Iron Age - 400 BC to 42 AD)
• BOUNDARY DITCH (Iron Age - 800 BC to 42 AD)
• STOCK ENCLOSURE (2nd century AD - 101 AD to 200 AD)
• RECTILINEAR ENCLOSURE (3rd century AD to 4th century AD - 201 AD to 400 AD)
• PIT DEFINED ENCLOSURE (Unknown date)
• DITCH (Unknown date)
• ENCLOSURE (2nd century AD - 101 AD to 200 AD)
• AISLED BUILDING (2nd century AD - 101 AD to 200 AD)
• POST BUILT STRUCTURE (2nd century AD - 101 AD to 200 AD)
• INHUMATION (2nd century AD - 101 AD to 200 AD)
• CREMATION (2nd century AD - 101 AD to 200 AD)
• TRACKWAY (3rd century AD to 4th century AD - 201 AD to 400 AD)
• OVEN (3rd century AD to 4th century AD - 201 AD to 400 AD)
• POST BUILT STRUCTURE (3rd century AD to 4th century AD - 201 AD to 400 AD)
• MIDDEN (3rd century AD to 4th century AD - 201 AD to 400 AD)
• POTTERY KILN (3rd century AD to 4th century AD - 201 AD to 400 AD)
• PIT (3rd century AD to 4th century AD - 201 AD to 400 AD)
• GRAVEL PIT (3rd century AD to 4th century AD - 201 AD to 400 AD)
• CLAY PIT (3rd century AD to 4th century AD - 201 AD to 400 AD)
• FIELD SYSTEM (3rd century AD to 4th century AD - 201 AD to 400 AD)
• FIELD SYSTEM? (4th century AD to 5th century Roman - 301 AD to 409 AD)
• DITCH? (4th century AD to 5th century Roman - 301 AD to 409 AD)

Associated Finds:

• ANIMAL REMAINS (Middle Iron Age to Late Iron Age - 400 BC to 42 AD)
• SHERD (Middle Iron Age to Late Iron Age - 400 BC to 42 AD)
• COIN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
• MORTAR (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
• SHERD (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
• TILE (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)

Associated Events:

• A14 Ellington to Fen Ditton Improvements scheme, 2008
• Aerial photographic assessement for A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon Improvement Scheme, 2014
• Excavation at TEA 20, A14 Improvement Scheme, Cambridgeshire, 2016-18
• A14 Fieldwalking survey and evaluation, Ellington to Fen Ditton, 2009 (Ref: A14 09)

Protected Status:

• SHINE (Unvalidated): Linear field boundary, track system, ring ditch and enclosures of unknown date, Offord Cluny

Full description

February 1971. Site visit. Site under spring corn; no surface remains noted.

1. Linear/ field boundary / track system and enclosures.

2. Prior to the implementation of the A14 improvement Scheme, several features were identified along the route using gradiometer survey including extensive settlement enclosures, trackways and ditches that overlapped, clearly suggestive of several phases.

3. An archaeological evaluation was undertaken along the corridor for a proposed rerouting and widening of the A14 road between Ellington and Fen Ditton. The investigation identified 20 individual sites spanning from the Late Neolithic to Anglo-Saxon periods. Investigation area C1 revealed sites 13 and 14.

Site 13 comprised two inter-related enclosures, possibly representing a small farmstead and paddock/enclosure with an associated fieldsystem. Despite the presence of lithic material in the top-soil no cut features of the Neolithic or Bronze Age periods were identified. The earliest cut features dated to the Middle/Late Iron Age and represented two inter-related enclosures and a series of boundary ditches which extended across the evaluated area. These enclosures were identified by the geophysical survey as a small sub-circular enclosure located along the southwest edge of a larger, more circular. The lack of artefactual material from these features would suggest that they were most likely part of an agricultural complex rather than an intensive settlement. The smaller enclosure may have surrounded a small farmstead, while the larger enclosure was an associated paddock or agricultural enclosure. The presence of ditches extending away from these enclosures and spread throughout the southeast portion of the evaluation indicated that these were part of a much larger system of enclosures and boundaries.

Site 14 comprised Romano-British settlement occupation was recorded within the western half of the evaluation area comprising of possible structures and industrial activity associated with a palaeochannel. The Iron Age activity continued into the Roman period which was characterised by an intensification in the settlement and related activities. This activity appeared to be focused around a channel towards the western edge of the site, and it was here that an intensive arrangement of ditches and gullies were identified along with charcoal rich features indicating industrial activity. Fragments of tile and mortar were also recovered from features within this area suggesting that a building may be located close by. The quantity of material culture and large number of Roman coins (14 in total) recovered and the nature of the deposits, suggests that this was probably a small but intensively utilised settlement focused upon production (possibly metalwork). The dark earth deposit was also present within the upper fills of a number of the features associated with the palaeochannel. From one of these, a large quantity of metalwork slag was recovered along with several fragments of Roman period pottery and animal bone. The ‘grubby’ nature of the deposits recorded within Trenches 94, 95, and 96 along with the metalworking slag suggested some form of industrial activity was also occurring within this area. The environmental analysis further indicates that crop processing was also occurring, indicating that the settlement had wider activities taking place off-site. Aligned with the channel were several linear features which could all be traced between successive evaluation trenches. These formed a series of Romano-British enclosures associated with the channel and represent a series of settlement enclosures, some of which could have enclosed tile roofed structures, either domestic or workshops. The presence of these forms of structure, along with the large quantity of material would attest to the presence of a settlement of some status and importance (which continues outside of the evaluated area). To the east of this settlement core, Trenches 112 and 113 exposed several closely spaced linear features, thought to be the remnants of a series of horticultural plots, such as lazy beds, suggesting that this area was located on the edge of the settlement. Further evidence of a continuation of the settlement was identified to the west. Towards the end of the Roman period this settlement was abandoned and there was no evidence found to suggest that it continued into the Anglo-Saxon period. The tertiary fill of the channel was a black organic deposit, which suggests that by this time (the late Roman period as indicated by the coins recovered from this layer) the water level was rising and quite possibly the area was becoming saturated. This organic deposit was capped by an alluvial layer, suggesting the area was flooded towards the end of the Roman period.

4. Aerial photographic assessment in 2014 identified fragmentary ditches and pits indicating possible settlement areas. Eroded ridge and furrow is present towards the north of the area.

5. The area was subsequently excavated as part of the A14 road improvement scheme between 2016 and 2018. The area revealed substantial evidence of Middle Iron Age to Roman activity with traces of earlier Bronze Age and later medieval features.

Iron Age activity and undated activity corresponding to site 13 from the evaluation stage was also re-assessed. During the evaluation, evidence of a curvilinear enclosure towards the centre of the site along with traces of parallel ditches features to the east. These were again identified in the excavation along with more widespread evidence of Iron Age activity.

Undated features comprised a series of ditches to the far west of the site that appear to be either late Bronze Age or early Iron Age in date based on scant pottery evidence. Two un-urned cremations were also located nearby. Also identified was a series of post hole groupings forming a roughly circular feature. Approximately 50m in diameter each post hole group comprised a regular arrangement of five post holes. No dating evidence was recovered from this group of features, however, and the area was heavily disturbed. Another undated feature comprised a stone surface or track in the southern end of the site.

Features datable to the Iron Age comprised a series of three large enclosures. To the east, enclosure 1 comprised a sub-rectangular enclosure with a sub square interior enclosure that had an entrance to the southwest. A drainage ditch connected the inner and outer enclosures and a field system extended north. Towards the centre enclosure 2 comprised a large circular enclosure approximately 50m in diameter with an entrance to the northeast. A smaller sub-square enclosure 22m wide aligned northwest to southeast interacted with the larger enclosure on its southeast side. Both enclosure showed evidence of remodelling and alteration. A substantial sinuous boundary extended south from the sub square enclosure and beyond the limit of the excavation area. Again this feature showed evidence of recutting and long term use. Evidence of field systems on an east-west alignment were also identified and a further enclosed field to the extreme south of the site. Finally enclosure 3 was located at the western edge and comprised large parallel ditches.

The excavation also revealed further Roman activity corresponding to Site 14 from the evaluation stage. At this stage, two discrete locations for Roman activity could be identified -the first to the northwest part of the site and provisionally dated to the 2nd century AD and the second to the centre and southern part of the site and predominately 3rd-4th century AD in date. This site mainly comprised peripheral activity.

The early phase appeared to respect the earlier Iron Age boundary (enclosure 3) and consisted of a series of enclosures surrounding three post built structures. Structure 1 was a large aisled building measuring 12.5m by 10m and on a north-northeast to south southwest alignment. It was constructed of two outer rows of four substantial posts with two further inner rows of smaller posts. Radiocarbon dating taken from one of the surviving Elm posts returned a date of 120-240 AD. To the east of this building was a metalled surface. Building 2 measured 15m by 7m approx and was aligned east-west. It was constructed of a single row of substantial posts to the south and a single row of smaller posts to the north. Building 3 was later than the aisled building, partially truncating it, and comprised a two room structure on an east-west alignment measuring 11m by 6.5m. East of these buildings were a series of stock enclosures and small field systems.

Three Roman burials were present - one un-urned cremation and two inhumations. All predated the later 3rd-4th century enclosures.

The 3rd century saw significant changes on the site with the construction of a pair of large enclosure ditches forming a substantial rectangular enclosure aligned east-west that extended beyond the limits of the excavation. Traces of this ditch were identified in TEA 19 to the west suggesting it measured at least 350m by 230m. A substantial entrance was recorded on the eastern arm comprising a timber gateway structure 4.7m wide with a metalled surface. Features within the interior of the enclosure included a post built structure measuring 11m by 6m on an east-west alignment, subsequently extended. A later building measuring 26m by 6m replaced this containing three small ovens. The later building was subsequently replaced by a midden heap containing large quantities of domestic refuse. Also within the enclosure were two further ovens. A number of subdivisions and smaller enclosures were recorded across the excavated extent of this enclosure, one of which included a pottery kiln dating to the 3rd century AD. The kiln was square shaped with a flue extending from its western side. A nearby pit contained kiln furniture and pottery wasters. To the northeast of the main enclosure a series of fields extended east beyond the extent of the excavation while to the south there were a series of gravel and clay quarries.

Towards the end of the 3rd century the rectilinear enclosure was re-cut with the outer ditch infilled and the inner ditch re-cut but on a larger scale. The adjoining enclosures and field systems were also re-cut on a larger scale while a series of pits were dug across the site, interpreted as small ponds. The very latest activity on the site may date to the late 4th-5th century and comprised a series of ditches forming a field system on a north-east to south-west alignment, however, dating was limited.

Activity post dating the Roman period comprised medieval to post medieval agricultural activity.

The finds assemblage from this site is substantial, however, it has largely not been processed yet. It comprises pottery, animal bone, brick and tile, human remains, slag, struck flint, shell and almost 3000 small finds.

6. The cropmark remains of linear ditches thought to be boundaries and trackways with associated rectilinear enclosures were seen extending throughout the field centred at the given grid reference. These features are thought to be the traces of a probable Iron Age or Roman settlement with associated boundaries and trackways. The cropmarks of underlying geological features confuse the archaeological remains, but some of the pitting may be associated with the settlement. These features were vvisible on aerial photographs taken by English Heritage in July 2006 as part of the Reconnaissance Recording programme.

Smith, A. & Bowsher, D., 2019, A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire Archaeological investigations Volume 1: post-excavation assessment (Unpublished report). SCB74521.

Smith, A. & Bowsher, D., 2019, A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire Archaeological investigations Volume 2 Updated Project Design (Unpublished report). SCB74522.

Smith, A. & Bowsher, D., 2019, A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire Archaeological investigations Volume 3.1 Finds Assessment (non pottery) (Unpublished report). SCB74523.

Sutton, A., 2019, A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire Archaeological investigations Volume 3.2 Pottery assessment (Unpublished report). SCB74524.

Carty, N. & Knox, E., 2019, A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire Archaeological investigations Volume 3.3 Human Remains Assessment (Unpublished report). SCB74525.

Pipe, A. & Ewens, V., 2019, A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire Archaeological investigations Volume 3.4 Animal remains and molluscs assessment (Unpublished report). SCB74526.

Walker, A., 2019, A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire Archaeological investigations Volume 3.5 Plant and insect remains assessment (Unpublished report). SCB74527.

Taylor, D. & Spurr, G., 2019, A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire Archaeological investigations Volume 3.6 Geoarchaeology Assessment (Unpublished report). SCB74528.

<1> Untitled Source (Aerial Photograph). SCB4155.

<2> Bunn, D., 2008, Fluxgate Gradiometersurvey: A14 Ellington to Fen Ditton Improvements: volume 1 of 2, 267/1 & 267/1-2 (Unpublished report). SCB21314.

<3> Patten, R., Slater, A., & Standring, R., 2010, Archaeological evaluation of the proposed A14 Ellington to Fen Ditton: 2009 (volumes I & II), site 13 & site 14 (Unpublished report). SCB21630.

<4> Cox, C., 2014, A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon Improvement Scheme: Brampton to Fen Drayton: Assessment of Aerial Photographs for Archaeology, AP13 (Unpublished report). SCB46591.

<5> Douthwaite, A., 2018, TEA 20 - Summary Report: Offord Road (Unpublished report). SCB54641.

<6> English Heritage, NMR TL 2268/09 NMR 24364/45 17-JUL-2006 (Aerial Photograph). SCB66431.

<7> Baird, J., Field Investigator Comments, 4/2/71 (Verbal communication). SCB62256.

Sources and further reading

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