Iron Age settlement and field systems at Alconbury Airfield, Rail Link: an archaeological evaluation Stage 1

Between 22nd June and 12th July 2000, an archaeological evaluation was undertaken on 15 hectares of land within and immediately to the east of Alconbury Airfield (TL 2300 7600), by staff of the Cambridgeshire County Council Archaeological Field Unit. The work was carried out in advance of a proposed re-development of the airfield and construction of a rail link to the East coast mainline.

Nineteen trenches were excavated across the site to ascertain the presence or absence of archaeological remains. The subsequent investigation of the trenches revealed archaeological remains in all but five trenches. Those trenches which did not contain archaeology had been disturbed by 20th century activity. Archaeological remains consisted predominately of ditches, part of a Belgic/early Roman field system. Two areas of more concentrated archaeology, consisting of postholes and pits as well as linear ditches, produced pottery dated to the early/middle Iron Age. Animal bone was retrieved but in surprisingly small quantities. This perhaps suggests core settlement was not located in the immediate vicinity. Medieval ridge and furrow cultivation was also identified in a number of trenches.