Government Oil Pipeline-Sawtry, Cambridgeshire

In September 1993 a watching brief was carried out by Cambridgeshire Archaeology along a selected section of a new pipeline being laid to the east of the A1, south of Sawtry TF 1878/1879, Cambridgeshire. The route of the pipeline passes through an area of cropmarks possibly prehistoric field systems and or enclosures, and also, under the main Roman road Ermine Street. The pipeline runs mostly alongside an existing pipeline, which is why, due to ground disturbance, no archaeological features were identified when the topsoil was removed down to the top of the subsoil, along the pipeline easement. The removal of the topsoil near the A1 (ermine street) revealed no Roman activity in the form of features, although, four residual sherds of pottery were found south of Monk's Wood Farm, which were identified as being Roman in date. The cutting of the pipe trench revealed series of ditches, also, south of Monks' wood farm, which had archaeological potential but, were later found to be field drains when comparisons were made with there field drains also discovered in the pipe trench.