Prehistoric and Medieval Remains at Oxney Grange, near Eye, Peterborough: An Archaeological Excavation

Between July 13th and July 27th 2006, Cambridgeshire County Council Archaeological Field Unit (AFU) conducted an archaeological excavation at Oxney Grange, near Eye, Peterborough (TF 2245 0135) in advance of the redevelopment of the area for dwellings. This excavation followed an evaluation undertaken in 2005.
The evaluation revealed features relating to the Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age. The character of the remains implies domestic activity. Given the location of the site – on a gravel promontory just to the north of Flag Fen – finding remains of this date in this position is not unexpected. The evaluation also discovered significant remains relating to the medieval monastic site of Oxney Grange. These included graves, pits and some very substantial ditches. The graves were on an east to west alignment and had no grave-goods. They were interpreted as Christian burials, presumably the graves of the monks living on the grange. The ditches were thought to be internal boundary ditches, and were dated to the 13th to 14th century. They were presumably contemporary with the medieval moat that is still faintly visible in the fields surrounding the site. Also discovered was considerable post-medieval activity, in the form of landscaping/build-up layers, garden soils, demolition layers, a concrete path and a modern yard surface.
An excavated area 9m by 22m was opened on the request of Peterborough City Council Archaeological Service to expose large pits and postholes relating to an Iron Age settlement. Postholes in the northern part of the site may have formed part of a roundhouse. These postholes were equally spaced and may have had a projected diameter 7m. Other postholes to the south of the roundhouse may formed four poster structures or outbuildings.
One large boundary ditch was uncovered in western part of the site which was associated with the medieval complex at Oxney Grange. This ditch was thought to be internal 13th or 14th boundary ditch dividing the site into different specialised areas.