7 - 9 Abbey Street, Cambridge: An Archaeological Desktop Assessment.

Abstract

This archaeological desk top assessment was requested by Mike Liverman of High Design Consultants on behalf of High Grove Partnership LLP to assess the likely impact of the construction works at 7-9 Abbey Street, Cambridge. Assessment of the available archaeological, historical and cartographic sources shows the site to be located within an area of rich historical and architectural significance, with extant structural remains in the vicinity dating from the 13th century AD to the present. In particular, the site is situated within the core of the medieval village of Barnwell, which flourished as a lay settlement associated with nearby Barnwell Priory during the 12th to 15th centuries. The possibility of earlier prehistoric, Roman and Anglo-Saxon activity also cannot be discounted. Nevertheless, extensive early 19th century gravel quarrying is known to have been undertaken in the vicinity, and by 1830 a series of domestic properties had also been constructed at the site. This indicates that the potential for post-medieval truncation of the deposits is relatively high. Furthermore, from the mid 20th century onwards the residential housing in this area has gradually been replaced by commercial properties. At the present site, a garage was constructed at this time and this may have further truncated the preceding archaeological sequence.