Dimmock's Cote Quarry, Wicken: an Archaeological Desktop Assessment

The proposed development area covers approximately 6.5 ha (TL 5470/7240) and lies to the north of Dimmock's Cote Road just outside the village of Wicken, Cambridgeshire. The proposed development consists of mineral extraction by Francis Flower Limited. The site lies in an area known to be rich in archaeological remains. Roman and prehistoric archaeology has been uncovered during excavations by the Archaeological Field Unit of Cambridgeshire County Council prior to past phases of extraction work at the quarry. The site appears to have been in agricultural usage for the last two centuries and remained so until Euston Lime began extraction of limestone. The evidence of past activity to teh north, east and south, combined with the lack of recent development strongly suggests a high potential for preservation of any archaeological remains that exist on the site. This was clearly shown by excavations undertaken in the early and mid 1990s. These identified complex but widely dispersed Bronze Age archaeological remains preserved within the remnants of the medieval field system.