Evaluation of Paddocks at Brickfield Stud, Newmarket

Between the 27th January and 4th February 2014 Oxford Archaeology East carried out an archaeological evaluation, totalling 13 evaluation trenches, at Brickfield Stud, Exning Road, Newmarket. The trenches were targeted on possible archaeological features and anomalies identified by a geophysical survey (Schofield 2013). The evaluation recorded a sequence of activity spanning the prehistoric to post-medieval periods.
Evidence for prehistoric activity within the development area was recovered in the form of an Iron Age pit and ditch, along with residual material recovered from later contexts. Some of this material was derived from colluvial deposits, which might indicate that prehistoric settlement within the locality was situated on higher ground to the south of the development.
Evidence for a 2nd and 3rd century Romano-British enclosure system, aligned perpendicular to a putative Roman road, was uncovered. Sections of the metalled surface of the road were surviving in Trenches 11 and 12. This feature might represent a route connecting Margary's route 333, to the south, with Ely. Furthermore, it is tentatively suggested that this road could have a precursor connecting to the large Iron Age settlement identified at No. 7 The Highlands.
Taken at face value, the Roman finds assemblage is typical of low order settlements within the region, with little evidence for imported goods. However, the presence of ceramic building material may suggest the presence of a large Roman building, potentially a villa, in the vicinity of the development area. The faunal remains represent one of the larger assemblages recovered locally, which might also indicate settlement close by.
A number of medieval boundary ditches and post-medieval/modern features were also recorded.