Anglo-Saxon and Medieval Deposits at 2, West End, Ely: And Archaeological Evaluation

In August 1999, the Archaeological Field Unit of Cambridgeshire County Council carried out an archaeological evaluation on land at 2 West End, Ely (TL 5362/8026), in advance of a proposed housing development. The work revealed extensive remains of medieval occupation, although no direct evidence of structures. In spite of considerable modern disturbance, preservation was good, especially over the northern half of the site, where an intact medieval layer was preserved in at least one trench. The southern half of the site was more heavily disturbed, but even here, intact medieval layers were present in at least one area. The alignment of features appeared not to relate to the present street frontage onto West End, but rather to a route way or boundary to the north. The majority of features in the north-eastern part dated to 900-1150 and one in the northern part 800-900. A small number of Roman and early to middle Saxon sherds were also recovered. In general, the occupation appeared to be domestic in character, although a relatively small quantity of smithing slag was also found in several features across the site. One unusual find was a late medieval drain made up of Ely ware pottery drainpipes.