An Archaeological Recording Brief at Peterhouse College, Cambridge.

Abstract

As part of planning consent for alteration works in the kitchens of Peterhouse College, archaeological observation was required of any associated groundworks. This document is a record of observations made at the site in July 1999. An earlier building, or a part thereof, seems to be represented by the clunch terminus standing in the area of the modern kitchen block. It is a strong possibility that the floor surfaces encountered are associated with this earlier building. This being so, the structure was in use long enough to have been re-floored at least five times, prior to falling into disuse and accumulating mixed debris above the floors. During this period of disuse the area was used for middening activity, something usually associated with the exterior of buildings, and therefore the early building has probably been demolished by this point. The middening may be contemporary with the construction of the 15th century wall, or at least the use of the building of which it is a part. It is possible that the 15th century wall is then a rebuild of the earlier wall, which had the effect of shortening the building slightly. The termination of the floor layers observed in the lift shaft may represent the point at which they abutted the continuation of this wall, subsequently robbed out. Although the gable end of the 1300 hall is approximately 15m to the east, this wall could represent a further 14th century addition.