Archaeological Investigations at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge (The Dining Hall Site) 1994

Abstract

A programme of archaeological evaluation was undertaken anticipating the construction of a new dining room in Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge. To be situated behind Chapel Court between Garden Court and the concourse (fig. 6), if the building proceeds its foundations (especially the basemented Air Handling Plant and Wine Cellar) w i l l penetrate the subsoil, disturbing or destroying all archaeological deposits. Although lying well back from the street frontage (c. 40m), the site is situated close to the bridgehead crossing of the Cam and could offer important insights into the early development of the town. The plot's history is one of the institutional succession of 'cloistered' communities - a medieval monastery to an 'historical' college - and all that implies in terms of economic, structural and social change. This report is divided into two sections: background archival study followed by the results of trial excavations and watching brief observations undertaken in July 1994.