Evaluation at 1 Royston Road, Foxton, Cambridgeshire

Three trenches were excavated, each measuring 20m long by 1.8m wide and laid out to provide even coverage of the development area to maximise the potential for the location of linear archaeological features, and approved by the curatorial archaeologist. The most recent deposits were removed mechanically, using a 360o tracked excavator fitted with a toothless ditching bucket. All mechanical excavation was undertaken under archaeological supervision. Mechanical excavation was discontinued when archaeological deposits were exposed or when undisturbed natural deposits were revealed. Exposed surfaces, both vertical and horizontal, were then cleaned by hand to define the archaeological remains prior to the part-excavation of features and deposits of potential archaeological origin to ascertain character, extent and date. Excavated features were recorded through drawn plans and sections at a scale of 1:20. This record was augmented by colour photographs and written context records on pro forma recording sheets. All trenches and reference points used in planning were located by survey-grade GPS. The earliest human activity revealed during the current work were limited remains of Iron Age domestic activity represents by single pit containing pottery sherds and organic remains, revealed on the north-east part of the site and late post-medieval or modern quarry or extraction activity on the north part of the site. Remains of 19th century building and possible related activity were found in the central part of the site.