Medieval Activity on Land between Nos 3-11 Mortimers Lane, Foxton

Between the 19th of November and 19th of December 2007 OA East (formerly CAM ARC) conducted an archaeological excavation on land between 3 and 11 Mortimers Lane, Foxton, Cambridgeshire (TL 4141 4846). The work was originally commissioned by G McKenzie 1919 Ltd in advance of the construction of three dwellings, garages, access and new services. This report, however, was commissioned by Amber Homes Ltd. Several phases of archaeological activity were identified during excavation ranging from the Iron Age to the late 19th century.
Evidence for human activity comprised cut features and deposits spanning the Late Iron Age (100BC - AD43) to post-medieval periods, with a gradual intensification of settlement from the Late Saxon period (AD 800 onwards) onwards culminating in the appearance of structural remains dated to the post-medieval period (AD 1600 – 1800). Many of the boundaries recorded on the site remained virtually unchanged throughout the life of the settlement.
The artefactual evidence suggests that the settlement was of relatively low status. The recovered assemblages were very utilitarian and indicative of a largely agricultural economy and lifestyle that remained largely unchanged throughout the observed periods.