A Middle and Late Saxon Property at Fordham Primary School, Cambridgeshire: An Archaeological Excavation

An archaeological excavation was carried out by the Archaeological Field Unit in the grounds of Fordham Primary School (TL 6336 7085) between 24th and 28th April 2000. The work was undertaken on behalf of Cambridgeshire County Council in advance of construction of new classrooms.
Evidence for a post-built structure possibly of middle Saxon date was found at the south end of the site. Two parallel ditches crossed the site on an east-west alignment, and a series of post holes were located parallel with the most southerly ditch. Finds from the southern ditch included late Saxon pottery, three iron knives, a whetstone, a chalk spindle whorl and fragments of lava quern. The northern ditch and post holes contained few artefacts which could be closely dated. All the features are likely to be associated with property boundaries dating from at least as early as the Late Saxon period. The data gathered from the site provides valuable information regarding early history of Fordham, especially when placed in context with the nearby medieval or earlier parish church and known early Saxon settlement remains to the west of the church.