Hinxton Genome Campus Technical Hub

The latest phase of investigations has revealed evidence of Neolithic flint working as well as a small cluster of shallow Bronze Age pits. In previous excavation phases, prehistoric features have included a 'ritual shaft' of Late Neolithic date containing Beaker pottery; a contracted (or 'crouched') Bronze Age burial, and scatters of Late Mesolithic/Early Neolithic worked flints. These discoveries indicate that the area may have been used to manufacture hunting equipment such as projectile points, demonstrating repeated and perhaps seasonal use of the landscape for hunting and retooling. Previous investigations have also revealed extensive farming of Iron Age and Romano-British date including graves, enclosures, pits and building foundations. The new excavations have found boundary ditches and enclosures continuing from adjacent excavation areas with the addition of a fence-lined trackway, possibly used to control the movement of animals from the out-lying fields towards enclosures. The pottery from previous excavations already forms a regionally significant group of 'Belgic' material and indicates that the settlement was of unusual status. A single burial was found in the 2011 work, seemingly placed within a ditch of possible Iron Age or Roman date. By the late Roman period occupation appears to have been located elsewhere, but still close by - it may lie beneath parts of the parkland to the north-west. In the 5th century, Anglo-Saxon farmers are known to have been constructing their characteristic 'halls' and sunken-featured buildings (SFBs) in the corners of the former Iron Age and Roman fields. The 2011 excavations found two SFBs, one of which was particularly well-preserved SFB: it contained loom weights and other finds indicating textile working. Features hinting at medieval settlement were recorded in the southern part of the excavation area. Of particular note is evidence for Late Saxon or early medieval jet-working which came from a pit fill.