The Parks, Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire. Archaeological Excavation 1998

This archive summarises the results of an excavation at The Parks, Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire, and was conducted by Birmingham University Field Archaeology Unit (BUFAU). The cutting of the roadside ditches probably represents the first Roman-British activity on the site, in the mid-late 1st century. These ditches may be roadside ditches, constructed alongside the Roman road from Cambridge to a crossing of the River Ouse which skirts the north side of Godmanchester, continuing the alignment of modern Park Lane. Some of the pits (mostly unexcavated) may have been dug to recover gravel for surfacing the road. Also in Phase 1 the area to the north of the road was sub-divided, defining three plots (A-C), two (A and B), separated by a droveway. Later in Phase 1 the plots were used for pottery manufacture, which continued into the late 3rd-early 4th century (Phase 2). A number of adjoining hearth-pits or ovens may have been associated with the use of the kilns. Also in Phase 2 one of the droveway boundaries to the northwest was re-defined, and two buildings defined by arrangements of post-pads were constructed. The boundary between Plots B and C was probably abandoned. The single cremation was contained within a waster vessel of similar form to those manufactured on site. By the early 4th century (Phase 3) pottery manufacture on site had ceased and the area was partly given over to burial, within a small cemetery located at some distance from the road frontage. Fifty nine human burial have been recorded within the site boundaries during excavation, and follow a variety of orientations. The burials were mainly supine, although prone, crouched and beheaded examples were also located. Although most of the burials were buried without grave-goods a few were buried with ornaments, including bracelets, finger-rings and earrings.