An Archaeological Evaluation at the Centre for Mathematical Sciences, Clarkson Road, Cambridge

Abstract

The following report details an archaeological evaluation carried out between 24 February and 3 March 1998 by the Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) on land to the north of Clarkson Road, Cambridge. The University of Cambridge commissioned the evaluation in advance of a proposed Centre for Mathematical Sciences. Cambridgeshire Archaeological Office issued the archaeological brief. This evaluation has successfully shown that the Roman and Anglo-Saxon spheres of activity did not extend away from St. John's playing fields, up onto the clay plateau. It has contributed towards defining the loci of settlement and other hinterland activities of these periods to the area around the north end of Grange Road. The excavation results confirm that the site was located within the bounds of the Medieval and Post-Medieval open-fields of west Cambridge and, indeed, it has been possible to place the site on the junction of the Willow's Ditch with a hedgerow boundary, east of a field called Le Hearne.