Archaeology

archaeologist working at waterbeach

Embracing our heritage

Waterbeach Barracks sits at the heart of two major routeways built by the Romans: Akeman Street, which runs from near Wimpole up to Ely and on to Denver in Norfolk (almost on the line of the current A10) and a Roman canal called the Old Tillage.

This waterway was once referred to as Car Dyke and was believed to have run all the way from Waterbeach to Lincoln. However, we now know that the Cambridgeshire stretch of the canal did not link directly to the Car Dyke system.

These routeways were built at the peak of Roman Britain, and that era dominates the archaeology and historic landscape unveiled by the first round of archaeological investigations carried out at the former Barracks and Airfield at Waterbeach in 2020.

We know that the land north of Cambridge around Waterbeach, Landbeach, Milton and Cottenham has been occupied since as early as the Iron Age (800 BC–AD 43).

Some of the finds from the first archaeological investigations can be seen in the artefact gallery below.

archaeology find

Archaeology periods timeline 

> 800 BC
Iron Age
iron age settlement

Reconstruction of an Iron Age settlement

Peter Lorimer, © Oxford Archaeology

> AD 43

Roman Britain

Image

A reconstruction of a Roman 'port' like the one found nearby

Peter Lorimer, © Oxford Archaeology

> AD 410

Anglo Saxon

anglo saxon settlement

Reconstruction of an Anglo Saxon farm, showing hall type buildings

Peter Lorimer, © Oxford Archaeology

> AD 1066

Medieval

waterbeach abbey

A reconstruction of Waterbeach Abbey

Jon Cane, © Cambridgeshire County Council

What's happening now?

Archaeologists are preparing for the next phase of archaeology to get underway.

Over the next 6 months we’ll be building on our first phase of archaeology, looking at a large Roman Settlement, Iron Age settlement and the site of a possible Anglo-Saxon hall!

Stay updated

Artefact gallery

Large storage jar

archaeology find

This ‘Horningsea ware’ was initially shaped by hand and finished on a kick-wheel, a technology introduced to Britain by the Romans.

Samian ware

samian ware

This is a broken fragment or ‘sherd’ of pottery known as ‘Samian ware’, mass-produced in Gaul (France) and exported throughout the Roman Empire.

Roman coins

roman coins

Most of the coins found during the first phase of excavation date from the 3rd and 4th centuries AD. Including a coin of Constans (AD 340-44) and two coins from the reign of Magnus Maximus (AD 383-88)

Cremation vessel

find

A small pottery vessel made in south Gaul (France) and imported to Romano-Britain. This red pottery with a glossy surface is known as ‘Samian ware

Axe head

axe head

This is a type of axe head known as a ‘palstave’, cast from bronze using a two-piece mould usually made of clay, stone or bronze.

Spindle whorl

spindle whorl

Whorls were made from a variety of materials and this example is made from a coarse ceramic. It dates to the late Iron Age or early Romano-British period, about 2,000 years ago.

Large storage jar

archaeology find

This ‘Horningsea ware’ was initially shaped by hand and finished on a kick-wheel, a technology introduced to Britain by the Romans.

Samian ware

samian ware

This is a broken fragment or ‘sherd’ of pottery known as ‘Samian ware’, mass-produced in Gaul (France) and exported throughout the Roman Empire.

Roman coins

roman coins

Most of the coins found during the first phase of excavation date from the 3rd and 4th centuries AD. Including a coin of Constans (AD 340-44) and two coins from the reign of Magnus Maximus (AD 383-88)

Cremation vessel

archaeology find

A small pottery vessel made in south Gaul (France) and imported to Romano-Britain. This red pottery with a glossy surface is known as ‘Samian ware

Axe head

axe head

This is a type of axe head known as a ‘palstave’, cast from bronze using a two-piece mould usually made of clay, stone or bronze.

Spindle whorl

spindle whorl

Whorls were made from a variety of materials and this example is made from a coarse ceramic. It dates to the late Iron Age or early Romano-British period, about 2,000 years ago.

    You can find out more here

    Haven’t seen the exhibition as yet?

    Learn more about how our predecessors lived and what they did here.

    Plan your visit and book tickets. 

    Exhibition boards
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    Exhibition details

    Exhibition

    Waterbeach Barracks archaeological investigations

    End

    21 October 2021

    ADDRESS

    The Farmland Museum, Denny Abbey, Ely Road, Waterbeach, Cambridge, CB25 9PQ

    exhibition entrance sign
    Book on the museum website
    Oxford Archaeology Logo
    Denny Abbey Museum Logo

    Waterbeach Archaeology Open Weekend

    Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd April 2022

    A team from Oxford Archaeology East are carrying out archaeological investigations at the former Barracks and Airfield at Waterbeach. They are excavating the remains of a large Roman settlement and a later Saxon hall. This is an opportunity to take you behind the scenes of what has been uncovered so far, what it tells us about the history beneath the new development, and what is coming next.

    Drop in to see the finds and a display at the Community Building from 10am - 4pm on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd April.

    You can also pre-book a tour of the excavation led by an archaeologist on the eventbrite link below. All tours must be booked in advance and take part on the hour at 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm.

    archaeology tour at Waterbeach

    ADVANCE BOOKING ESSENTIAL FOR TOURS.

    Book a guided tour

    Exhibition details

    Exhibition

    Waterbeach Barracks archaeological investigations

    Date

    2nd - 3rd April 2022

    ADDRESS

    Waterbeach Barracks
    Denny End Road
    Waterbeach
    CB25 9NY

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    archaeologist taking a tour at Waterbeach
    Book a guided tour
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