Prehistoric Field Systems at Northern Office, March: an Archaeological Evaluation

Between 26th and 30th March 2001, an archaeological evaluation was undertaken on 1.2 hectares of land immediately to the east of All Saints Primary School, March (TL 4151 9770) by staff of the Cambridgeshire County Council Archaeological Field Unit. The work was carried out in advance of a proposed housing and office development.

Three trenches were excavated across the site to ascertain the presence or abence of archaeological remains. Archaeological remains were uncovered in all trenches. Besides the evidence for nineteenth and twentieth century activity in the form of a ditch and a pit, undated features may have belonged to the prehistoric period.

The prehistoric features were characterised by a double posthole (as part of a post-built fence?), parallel ditches (droveways?) and ditched enclosures (paddocks for livestock?).

Absence of finds would be consistent with an early chronology for the site. Given the known archaeological background of March and the presence of Bronze Age and earlier finds at Estover, 1km north-east of the development area, the features uncovered during the present evaluation could be early prehistoric. Furthermore, the evidence would be indicative of clearance of land on the high Gravels of March Island and management of livestock, possibly as early as the Neolithic period.