Car Dyke, Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire: Post-Excavation Assessment & Updated Project Design

During August and September 1997 an archaeological investigation was carried out at Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire, on the Roman Car Dyke Canal, at the point where it connected with the River Cam, near to Clayhithe and the village of Horningsea (TL 49616420). The project was jointly funded by the Cambridgeshire County Council (Property Department), English Heritage and South Cambridgeshire District Council (Conservation Committee). The area is one of known archaeological potential, however the southernmost section of the Car Dyke Canal, its start and connection with the Rive Cam, is not protected by Scheduling (Protection under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979), nor is there any covenant on the land to ensure its future preservation, chiefly by protection from ploughing.

The excavations at Car Dyke in 1997 have produced some exceptional results and confirm this area of the Cambridgeshire fen edge as important for Roman industrial activity. Outside of the Roman towns of Cambridge, Godmanchester and Durobrivae (Water Newton near Peterborough) the area north on Cambridge, close to Milton, Landbeach, Horningsea and Waterbeach contains some of the most concentrated Roman archaeology in Cambridgeshire. The site at Waterbeach contains a representative sample of much of this activity. Fr the first time a section of the Car Dyke has been investigated where it connects with a natural waterway. At Clayhithe there is a direct connection, and proof that once a lock existed located further north, possibly beyond the modern railway line. The investigation has now confirmed that the are north of the River Cam was also an intensive area of pottery production for the Horningsea pottery industry. The location of the kiln(s) on the bank of the Car Dyke at its very junction with the river confirms the transport function of the monument. The presence of the Roman building (Trench IV) appears to link to the Car Dyke, acting as a warehouse/industrial area close to the canal. The activity present at the site appears to span the main period of Romanisation, from the mid 2nd century AD through to a height in the 3rd century, before tailing away at the beginning of the 4th century.