Wellcome Genome Campus Development Project, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire

During October and November 2018, evaluation trial trenching was undertaken by Oxford Archaeology (OA) at the Hinxton Genome Campus, Cambridgeshire, in advance of a planned extension. A total of 159 trenches were excavated in six fields, comprising a 2.5% sample. Low-density archaeological remains were found in all six fields.
Archaeological activity was mostly concentrated in two areas. The first, comprising a large east-north-east to west-south-west orientated ditched feature, with an associated smaller parallel ditch and possible associated pits and post-holes, was found in the north of Field 5 and south of Field 6. These features indicated activity along a possible route or braid of the Icknield Way (Southern Route) in the later prehistoric/Roman period.
The second focus of activity comprised a roughly north to south aligned trackway extending through the middle of the evaluated area. This route was defined by linear archaeological features (ditches and hollow ways), which appeared in Fields 2, 4, 5 and 6. Six perpendicular field boundary ditches indicate agricultural use of the area to either side. These features may have been used during the Early Roman period, although it is possible that the track represents a post-Roman route extending from Stump Cross to the south.
Also of note was a cremation situated in the north of the site, which remains undated. Other scattered archaeological features were present in Fields 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Field 1 contained periglacial features, which in certain locations contained archaeological finds, principally worked flints.
The features found in the evaluated area suggest an agricultural hinterland during the late prehistoric and Roman periods, probably closely associated with settlement to the west on the banks of the River Cam and possibly connected to other known spheres of late prehistoric and Roman activity.
The results of the evaluation broadly reflect the potential level of archaeological deposits as predicted in the Environmental Impact Assessment (Chapter 8) produced for the site in November 2018.