Pump Court, Jesus College, Cambridge: An Archaeological Evaluation
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This trench-based evaluation was commissioned by Jesus College, Cambridge, to assess the archaeological potential of the college's Pump Court in advance of proposed redevelopment of the College Kitchens. Pump Court is located immediately to the north of the historic core of Jesus College, Grade I-listed Cloister Court, which contains the remnants of the medieval cloister and chapel of the Benedictine Nunnery of St Rhadegund. Many of these monastic buildings were converted for collegiate use at the end of the 15th century. Four trenches were excavated in Pump Court, and all four encountered structural remains. Ancillary buildings of 16th, 17th and 19th century date were identified, along with contemporary material assemblages. A Post-Medieval well is also reported to be present at the site. Prior to the nunnery's collegiate conversion, it is likely that the proposed development area comprised part of the monastic kitchen garden. The channel for the adjacent reredorter is also projected to cross the area. Overall, a relatively well-preserved stratigraphic sequence was identified, extending to c. 1.3 to c. 1.5m in depth.