66 Cambridge Road, Great Shelford, Cambridgeshire: An archaeological evaluation

In August 2008, Archaeological Solutions (AS) carried out an archaeological evaluation at 66 Cambridge Road, Great Shelford, Cambridgeshire (NGR TL 4572 5312). It is proposed to construct a new residential development comprising the construction of eight residential dwellings. The evaluation was undertaken to comply with a planning condition requiring an archaeological investigation of the site (Planning ref: S/1799/07/F). The desk-based assessment demonstrated considerable potential for multi-period remains in Great Shelford. It showed a moderate potential for prehistoric occupation specifically from the Neolithic, Bronze Age and Iron Age periods. A possible Roman settlement has been identified from cropmarks close to the site. A settlement was likely to have been founded in the Anglo-Saxon period although located further to the south, near the shallow ford crossing the River Cam. In the medieval period, the village changed location focusing on Granham''s Manor. The post-medieval village saw substantial development. The site is likely to have been agricultural until the 20th century when the majority of Cambridge Road was developed. The evaluation revealed roots (Tr.1 F1013, Tr.3 F1003) and tree hollows (Tr.1 F1011, Tr.2 F1025, F1027, Tr.3 F1005, F1007, F1009). A modern ditch, F1015 was recorded in Trench 1. The ditch was aligned NW/SE, parallel with Cambridge Road, and may have been an old boundary. A posthole (F1019), a ditch (F1023) and a modern animal burial (F1021) were present in Trench 2. All features were well preserved.