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

Macaulay, Stephen (2000) Iron Age settlement and field systems at Alconbury Airfield, Rail Link: an archaeological evaluation Stage 1. [Client Report] (Unpublished)

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Abstract

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.

Item Type: Client Report
Uncontrolled Keywords: Cambridgeshire, Alconbury, RAF Alconbury, Alconbury Airfield, Prehistoric, Iron Age, Belgic Field System, Early Roman Field System, Bronze Age Pottery, Early Iron Age Pottery, Middle Iron Age Pottery, Late Iron Age Pottery, Roman Pottery, Belgic Pottery, Ditches, Post Holes, Pits, Animal Bone, Teeth, Medieval Ridge and Furrow, furrow, ridge and furrow, pit, post hole, ditch, roman, roman pottery, 174, report 174, cccafu report 174, CCCAFU report 174, evaluation, archaeological evaluation, field system, animal bone, faunal remains, iron age, iron age pottery
Subjects: Geographical Areas > English Counties > Cambridgeshire
Period > UK Periods > Bronze Age 2500 - 700 BC
Period > UK Periods > Iron Age 800 BC - 43 AD > Early Iron Age 800 - 400 BC
Period > UK Periods > Bronze Age 2500 - 700 BC > Late Bronze Age 1000 - 700 BC
Period > UK Periods > Iron Age 800 BC - 43 AD > Late Iron Age 100 BC - 43 AD
Period > UK Periods > Medieval 1066 - 1540 AD
Period > UK Periods > Iron Age 800 BC - 43 AD > Middle Iron Age 400 - 100 BC
Period > UK Periods > Modern 1901 - present
Period > UK Periods > Roman 43 - 410 AD
Depositing User: Archives
Date Deposited: 10 Sep 2018 09:37
Last Modified: 10 Sep 2018 09:37
URI: http://eprints.oxfordarchaeology.com/id/eprint/4181

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