Former Allotments, Fordham Road, Soham: A Desktop Study

This Desktop Assessment was undertaken by Cambridgeshire County Council Archaeological Field Unit as part of the requirements prior to residential development of former allotments to the north of Fordham Road, in the southern part of modern Soham (TL 6025 7250). The first stage of the evaluation requires an archaeological desktop study. The results of this study are presented in this report.

The present study shows that the area lies within a rich archaeological landscape, being surrounded by sites of Roman and Saxon date. Although no finds are known from the subject site itself, its archaeological potential can be considered moderate to high, with particular evidence to the evidence for Roman rural activity and Saxon burial practices.

Although the land has been cultivated as allotments since 1896, the development site does not appear to have been affected by modern development or disturbance. The state of preservation of any archaeological remains and deposits that may be encountered during excavation is likely to be good.