An Archaeological Evaluation at Colne Fen, Earith. The Camp Ground (Site VIII)

Abstract

The evaluation fieldwork took place in June 1996 as part of a continuing and extensive archaeological programme within the quarry area. The work was carried out by a team from the Cambridge Archaeological Unit on behalf of Hanson Aggregates Ltd. (as then ARC). The area of investigation was within the north of the quarry in two fields lying east and west of the track formerly leading to Colne Fen Farm (centred TL 377578825). Covering some 5 hectares and known as Camp Ground, the fields have long been assumed to be the location of a Romano-British settlement. The existing cropmarks and presumed settlement lie approximately 500m to the west of the West Water sometimes known as the Colne Ditch. This artificial waterway, probably of Roman origin, lies west and parallel of the present Cranbrook Drain, which connects the ancient course of the Ouse (referred to as the Old West Water) to the Somersham River the latter running immediately north of the site, just south of the present Somersham/Chatteris Road.