Ridge and Furrow Cultivation at The Elms Recreation Ground, Chatteris

Between the 3rd and the 8th June 2015 Oxford Archaeology East conducted an earthwork survey and archaeological test pitting on the Elms Recreation Ground, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire (TL 3976 8582). This work was in advance of the proposed development of an access path and games enclosure/skate park.
The remains of ridge and furrow cultivation, which generally dates from the medieval to the post-medieval period, was visible as earthworks across the majority of the site. A survey of the earthworks recorded the remains of seven ridges, with the best preservation at the west of the recreation ground, where these survived up to 0.40m in height.
A series of four 1m by 1m test pits was then located in the vicinity of the proposed path and skate park impact zones. These test-pits were excavated to the level of under lying natural deposits. Post-medieval artefacts were recovered from the test pits but no archaeological features were uncovered.
The proposed development impacts on areas of the recreation ground where preservation of earthworks is lowest or where later disturbance has already taken place.