Saxon and Medieval Occupation at St. Mary's Lodge, Ely: A Recording Brief, May 2000

A watching brief between November 1993 and March 1994 during redevelopment of St. Mary's Lodge, Ely, allowed some record to be made of archaeological deposits observed within foundation trenches for new building works. In spite of the fact that the working conditions and opportunities provided by the limited keyhole areas exposed were not ideal, important evidence for early medieval Ely was discovered. Of particular note was the first recorded occurrence of Ipswich ware (700-850 AD) associated with a beam slot. This could tie in with a Middle Saxon monastic foundation or secular settlement, known from documentary sources to have been situated in the vicinity. Pits with Late Saxon and medieval pottery and a quantity of animal bone were also found indicative of "rear of tenement" character, perhaps suggesting that the street front shift northwards during the later medieval period. A sherd of Bronze Age pottery and some residual Roman pottery demonstrates activity for both periods within the area of St. Mary's Lodge.