West Cambridge: Vicars Farm. An Archaeological Evaluation

Abstract

Evaluation fieldwork led to the discovery of an important Romano-British settlement. With an early Roman cremation cemetery (urned), in the main the occupation appears to be of 4th century date. Locally features had been backfilled with midden-like deposits, with a high density of coins recovered in association. An inhumation of probable Roman date was found at the northern end of the site and, elsewhere, loose human suggests the truncation of other graves. The site probably relates to earlier findings at the Observatory and on Gravel Hill north of Madingley Road and, as such, seems part of a major Roman complex. Its existence, therefore, has significant implications for the understanding of Roman Cambridge and the organisation of the town’s western hinterland. A small quantity of flintwork was also recovered and features evidently relating to the Late-/post-Medieval 'Willowes Ditch' were investigated.