Prehistoric, Roman and Later Activity at the East of England Showground, Orton Waterville, Peterborough: An Archaeological Excavation

Between 13th April and 2nd May 2003 an archaeological excavation was carried out on one third of a hectare of land at the East of England Showground adjacent to the Oundle Road, near Alwalton, Peterborough (TL 142 960). The most recent use for the land has been as an overflow car park and a venue for car boot sales. The archaeological work was carried out by staff of the Cambridge County Council Archaeological Field Unit (AFU) and commissioned by Persimmon Homes (East Midlands) Ltd in advance of the construction of houses and associated access roads and services.

The earliest evidence of human activity was represented by a single undiagnostic and residual Bronze Age flint flake. Prehistoric activity was also indicated by pottery deposited in a large pit and a curving irregular Iron Age ditch which crossed the site: the latter contained Middle to Late Iron Age shell tempered pottery, charred prehistoric wheat varieties and the remnants of a possible cremation.

The Romans appeared to have used the existing Iron Age boundary in creating new boundaries/field systems. The two Roman ditches excavated contained varied assemblages of standard Roman kitchenwares and tablewares as well as storage vessels and roof tile. Such finds may indicate the presence of a substantial building in the vicinity, presumably a farmsstead.

Later activity was also based around agriculture, represented by post-medieval field drains in both stone and ceramic pipe as well as plough furrows. More recent plough scares were also visible.