OA Library

Ramsey Abbey: Excavations at Ramsey Abbey School, Cambridgeshire, 1998-2002

Atkins, Robert and Macaulay, Stephen (2008) Ramsey Abbey: Excavations at Ramsey Abbey School, Cambridgeshire, 1998-2002. [Client Report] (Unpublished)

[thumbnail of Report_929_LR.pdf]
Preview
PDF
Report_929_LR.pdf
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike.

Download (5MB) | Preview

Abstract

Excavations at Ramsey Abbey in 1998 (14th of April - 1st of June) and 2002 (25th of September - 19th of October) were conducted by Cambridgeshire County Council's CAM ARC (formerly the Archaeological Field Unit). The excavated area covered part of the former abbey precinct, with a new school building being built in 1998 and a related extension in 2002. Four main phases of Late Saxon to Medieval activity were revealed, the earliest being two or three small timber buildings of possible domestic origin in the extreme south of the site, with an adjacent field boundary ditch. The buildings were replaced by a short-lived large enclosure containing an internal watering hole. During the 12th century the house was captured, looted and fortified by Geoffery de Mandeville. Perhaps dating to this time was a large defensive ditch and associated bank. A trackway may have led towards a large building possibly used as a storehouse as well as two other structures. A lode was later constructed and presumably connected to other lodes within and around Ramsey, permitting goods to be brought to and from the abbey. A possible crane may have been used to off-load goods. At the dissolution the lode was backfilled with domestic rubbish from the abbey and demolition rubble was strewn across the site. The area reverted to agricultural land until it recently became part of the land held by Ramsey Abbey School.

Item Type: Client Report
Uncontrolled Keywords: archaeological excavation, cambridgeshire, ramsey, ramsey abbey, ccc afu, cam arc, medieval, trackway, timber building, geoffrey de mandeville, pottery, tile, late saxon, early medieval, watering hole, abbey buildings
Subjects: Geographical Areas > English Counties > Cambridgeshire
Period > UK Periods > Early Medieval 410 - 1066 AD
Period > UK Periods > Medieval 1066 - 1540 AD
Divisions: Oxford Archaeology East
Depositing User: Chris Faine
Date Deposited: 21 Dec 2016 10:05
Last Modified: 21 Dec 2016 10:05
URI: http://eprints.oxfordarchaeology.com/id/eprint/3110

Actions (login required)

View Item
View Item