New Museums Site, Downing Street, Cambridge. An Archaeological Desktop Assessment.

Abstract

This archaeological desk based assessment was commissioned by Estates Management on behalf of the University of Cambridge to assess the potential impact of proposed works within the New Museums Site (TL 4495 5825). Set within the historic city centre the site is the location of a former Augustinian Friary, The Perse School, the first University Botanic Gardens and the original Cavendish Laboratories. Medieval to early 20th century archaeology is known to exist within the study site’s boundary. This consists primarily of the Medieval King’s Ditch (known to bisect the site and identified at least once during building works) and the aforementioned friary. The site is also located immediately to the west of the previously unknown Late Saxon and early Medieval settlement features found during excavations ahead of the construction of the Grand Arcade shopping complex.