Archaeology
 Air Photo Services Ltd

Archaeological Case Study
Photograph ©The Art of Aviation Ltd

Between August and October 1997 an archaeological excavation was carried out by Hertfordshire Archaeological Trust on land immediately south of Station Road, Gamlingay, Cambridgeshire (NGR TL 2430 5190).

Excavation over an area of c.15, 000 sq m confirmed and enhanced surface collection evidence for a large ploughsoil scatter of struck flint, ranging in date from the Mesolithic through to the Neolithic and Bronze Age. No traces of prehistoric buildings were located, but two pits and two tree holes containing prehistoric pottery were found. Five late Mesolithic 'tranchet' axes have been recovered from the site.

Evidence for early and middle Saxon (c.5th - 8th century AD) occupation of the site came from ditches, post holes, pits, 14 sunken-featured grubenhauser, a droveway and a long building with enclosure. Large pottery assemblages were recovered from several of these features.

A Christian Saxon cemetery comprising 117 graves was fully excavated.

Tom McDonald MIFA FSA (Scot)
Hertfordshire Archaeological Trust
Button Case Studies Index

Archaeology and Development Control
Gamlingay, Cambridgeshire

Air Photo Services Ltd and Hertfordshire Archaeological Trust Ltd
Hertfordshire Archaeological Trust Ltd.
Air Photo Services Ltd

In 1996, Air Photo Services Ltd was commissioned by Hertfordshire Archaeological Trust to interpret air photos covering a site at Station Road, Gamlingay, Cambridgeshire.

The site owner had applied for planning permission to develop the land, and archaeological evaluation under PPG16 was required by the County Planning Department as a condition of planning consent.

Aerial photos were interpreted to:

  • Provide advanced knowledge of the extent and nature of archaeological features
  • Define a strategy for field evaluation in advance of excavation, in order to effectively target the clients resources, and minimise expensive time spent on site.
Aerial photos from Cambridge University Collection, the County Record Office and the National Library of Aerial Photographs were interpreted. A ditched enclosure and pits were discovered, showing as crop marks on vertical aerial photographs. The archaeological features were accurately mapped, and a detailed report written for the client. This provided the basis of the Desk-Based Assessment, and was later used to locate the evaluation area.

Map

More Archaeological Case Studies
button Fenstanton button Andover
button River Ouse

line
button Archaeological: Introduction
line
button Main Menu
 button Products and Services
 button More About Us
line

Please note our new contact details:
Chris Cox MA MIFA,
Air Photo Interpreter
Air Photo Services Ltd
76 The Green
Lyneham, Wiltshire SN15 4P6
Phone: +44 (0)1249 891411
Mob: +44 (0)7795 203442
E-mail: christine.lang@onetel.net

Design concept ©Mark Penicud 1999-2004
Website design and graphic interpretation ©Castle & King 1999-2004
All images ©Air Photo Services Ltd 1999-2004 unless stated otherwise