Archaeological Investigations of the Anglian Water Cottenham Landbeach Sewage Pumping Main, Cambridgeshire.

Abstract

These works were carried out on behalf of Anglian Water Services Ltd in advance of the construction of a proposed sewage pumping main between Cottenham and Landbeach, Cambridgeshire (Map SEW-00137-005). The aim of the investigation was to determine the nature and extent of any archaeological remains on the route and to preserve by record any such archaeology. The route was planned in conjunction with the Cambridge Archaeological Office to avoid known concentrations of archaeological features. The majority of features encountered appear to be related to field systems and the rural landscape, as one would expect. However, given the proximity of known archaeological concentrations, especially in zone 4, it is surprising how little archaeology was encountered. Little can be said about many of the features encountered. The overall low density and variable quality of the archaeological features lying on the path of the pipeline, demonstrate the results of a successful mitigation strategy on the part of the County Archaeological Office and Anglian Water.