Land at Spicers, Mill Lane, Sawston, Cambridgeshire. Archaeological Excavation

Birmingham Archaeology was commissioned by RPS Planning and Development, acting on behalf of Spicers Limited, to undertake an archaeological excavation in advance of the construction of a warehouse and ancillary offices at Spicers, Mill Lane, Sawston, Cambridgeshire (NGR TL 4712 4984; Planning Reference: S/0750/01/F). The development site is on a slight spur of land comprising gleyic brown calcareous earths with deep fine loams over chalk drift and chalk falling from about 19m AOD in the east to about 16.7m AOD in the west. The site is bounded to the west and north by woodland, to the east by a hedgerow and to the south by an arable field. The results from the excavation have produced extensive evidence which will greatly enhance the archaeological record for Cambridgeshire and significantly contribute to our understanding of the chronological development of the site and its immediate environment. The multi period nature of the archaeological features, deposits and artefacts ranging from the Mesolithic to Post-Medieval create a rare opportunity to investigate human activity, settlement and landscape utilisation of a considerable length of time and to advance the research framework model for archaeological work in Cambridgeshire. In addition, the presence of good environmental preservation of datable deposits within probable former channels of the River Cam creates an excellent opportunity to reconstruct the past natural landscape and allow the archaeological activity to be assessed in conjunction with environmental characteristics and landscape change.