45-86 Eastfield, East Chesterton, Cambridge: Phase 2

Between 19th January and 20th January 2017 Oxford Archaeology East conducted a pre-demolition trial trench evaluation at Eastfield, East Chesterton, Cambridge (TL 4656 6037). Two trenches were excavated in the gardens and open spaces behind the existing structures, both of which revealed archaeological features. The trenches contained a series of prehistoric ditches, gullies, pits and post holes relating to settlement activity, with a similar density of features to the excavated settlement to the north.
These features likely reflect a continuation of this settlement extending to the south. Finds were scarce, with only one sherd of pottery recovered from the excavated features. The excavation to the north, however, showed that finds on the site, with the exception of animal bone, are sporadically distributed with some features containing concentrated dumps of material and others proving quite sterile.
Archaeological preservation across the site was once again higher than anticipated, with a layer of subsoil, up to 0.45m thick, ensuring a high level of feature preservation. Preservation under the 1930s houses is anticipated.