An Archaeological Evaluation in the Master's Garden, Clare College, Cambridge

Abstract

An archaeological evaluation was carried out by the Cambridge Archaeological Unit on behalf of Clare College. This was undertaken in advance of the proposed construction of a garden building. The site is situated in the Master’s and Fellow’s Garden of Clare College, centred on TL 44448 58469, and the evaluation comprised of 10.5 sq. metres of trial trenching. Although the evidence points to this being an area of high archaeological potential, no significant archaeological features of any kind were recorded. Yet, rather than attesting to negative evidence of occupation as such, this tells of the site's immediate location. The excavation, together with the results of the auger survey, has shown that the alluvial deposits reach a depth of 4m below the ground surface. This must indicate the line of a palaeochannel running beneath western margin the Master’s garden. If this were the case, then it would provide a reason for the absence of archaeological evidence on site amidst the plethora of evidence in the surrounding environs.