Phase II Archaeological Assessment at Hinxton Hall

In November 1993, Cambridgeshire Archaeology undertook a second phase of archaeological assessment at Hinxton Hall (TL 496/448), restricted to the southern part of the Hall park. The work was part of a wider site investigations in the grounds of the Hall for a development proposal by Fuller Peiser on behalf of the Wellcome Trust.
The evaluation revealed prehistoric remains which strongly suggest the presence of a Neolithic settlement.
The early medieval settlement identified during the first phase of evaluation appears to be limited to a discrete area in the southern part of the site. Outside the apparent enclosure ditch surrounding the settlement, an area of activity was revealed which appears to be contemporary with the settlement. This area showed rubbish pits and ditches which produced Saxon and early medieval pot sherds.
An isolated burial was found to the east of the settlement area. The burial, of a woman over forty five years old, was found with an iron object, probably a knife, and appears to be Anglo-Saxon in date.
A hollow way was found which corresponds to the continuation of Hinxton High Street towards Great Chesterford. Other post-medieval activity on the site was represented by rubbish pits, and smelting or smithying.