Archaeological Investigations at 75, 83 and 85 Castle Street, Cambridge 1994

Abstract

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken at Numbers 75, 83 and 85 Castle Street, Cambridge (TL 444 593), by the Cambridge Archaeological Unit on behalf of Granta Housing Society in accordance with a Brief set by the Archaeological Office of Cambridge County Council. Previous archaeological and historical research within the Roman town suggested the likelihood of archaeological remains surviving in the development area. The watching brief and limited excavation confirmed the survival of more than 0.8 metre thickness of archaeological stratigraphy predating the 19th century. The primary phase of limited activity consisted of the survival of the former buried soil which was sampled for micromorphological analysis and comparison against the recent nearby excavations at New Hall College. A second phase was indicated by a shallow pit and stakeholes probably of the 1st century AD. A third phase indicated the presence of a probable 1st-2nd century AD wooden building, associated with a possible rammed earthen floor, which was later abandoned and sealed by domestic rubbish spreads and garden soil. A possible Romano-British gully and pit were also identified. These features correlate with the excavation results in the immediate area, and to the west in Ridgeon’s Gardens. A medieval phase was tentatively identified consisting of pits and a 4.0 metre deep north-south ditch probably forming the western extent of the 12-13th century outer bailey ditch of Cambridge Castle. The evaluation confirmed the presence of medieval inhumations, which were identified as probably surviving in the area of the excavations in 1988 associated with the Church of All Saints by the Castle. Further evidence suggests that the cemetery was partially encroached upon, possibly by an apparently short-lived building which was later demolished. The demolition probably coincided with the clearance of buildings, gardens and the remodelling of the outer bailey ditch during the Civil War c.1643. Subsequently the area appears to have seen limited activity, culminating in the construction of 75, 83, and 85 Castle Street during the 17th-18th centuries, with associated yards and gardens. The survival of more than 0.8 metre thickness of archaeological stratigraphy was minimized by the reduction of services trenches for the proposed development, with archaeology being preserved under geo-tex matting and hardcore.