Cambridgeshire Historic Environment Record (CHER) is the most comprehensive source of information on undesignated heritage assets, archaeological sites and finds in Cambridgeshire.
Below is a summary of those found in Harston:
Saxon settlement, Manor Farm, Harston Scheduled Monument Settlement site at Manor Farm. Timber buildings of AS type, some with sunken floors include a complex of ditched enclosures (and TL/417-/496-). January 1977. Site Visit. This large group of cropmarks contains in the field to the north west of the A10 … various enclosures; in the field to the east of the farm further enclosures and ditches; and in the field to the south of the farm the clear traces of rectangular buildings of several kinds. Some have a continuous trench as for timber uprights, others seem to be large buildings with sunken floors (? an Anglo-Saxon settlement). This was part ploughed, part under crop at the time of the visit, nothing visible on the ground. AMI memorandum on deep ploughing applies. Some quarrying at TL/4172/4998 in 1977. April 1983. Site visit. Nothing visible on ground at time of visit. Site lies to west of Rowley’s Hill. Evaluation of the site in 1989 and 1991 was undertaken in advance of the sale of Manor Farm by the County Council. Field walking, crop-mark transcription, magnetometer survey and three test trenches were used to assess plough damage and identify and date features. Only the scheduled area south east of the A10 was examined. Three principle phases of use were identified: Two ring ditches, considered to be the remains of low round barrows with substantial ditches (1.6m and 3m wide), presumed to be Bronze Age. 2nd-1st century BC field systems indicated by boundary ditches, suggesting nearby settlement. Grubenhaus type Saxon buildings, and other possible post-hole buildings. Excavations carried out in March 1991 revealed Anglo- Saxon activity, including a probable grubenhaus and enclosure ditches. Fieldwalking recovered coarse wares (? Roman / ? Saxon) from west end of field(at TL/419-/500-) by farm track. Not abraded but not very large sherds. Possibly the plough is bringing up fresh pottery, especially towards the south end. Pieces of slag or bloom were also found, suggesting metal working activity. Ref no. CB 125/56. Fieldwork at Manor Farm, Harston, has shown that a cropmark complex scheduled as an ancient monument in 1978 retains substantial features immediately below shallow ploughsoil. Four main periods of occupation can be assigned: Bronze Age, C1st AD, C4th AD and Anglo-Saxon. The fourth main period of occupation was represented by the finding of a possible grubenhaus reusing the central part of a ring ditch. The most informative APs of the site are CUCAP nos YW 87, 88and AFT 17 – 19. AFT 19 shows, near the centre of the negative, clear outlines of two (perhaps three) rectangular timber buildings, about twice as long as wide. In the largest outline the long sides are broken at their mid-points by narrow gaps, as for entrances. A little way to the left are a number of rectangular shapes, picked out by crop growth in darker tone than elsewhere; three or four large shapes, not very different in size from the timber buildings, and several smaller ones. To the left of these again, near the hedgerow bounding the field is a cluster of closely spaced dark marks (seen best in APs YW 87, 88), 6ft or so in length. The ‘timber buildings’ very closely resemble similar features at Yeavering, Milfield and Atcham to mention only a few places. The shapes of darker growth resemble cropmarks of grubenhauser seen on photographs of Mucking, Radley and many other sites. The cluster of small marks strongly resemble the cropmarks of closely packed graves seen, for example, in photos of Saxon cemeteries in Kent (e.g. Eastry) or in the large (? early Christian) cemetery near Warborough, Oxon. The extensive early medieval settlement is visible as cropmarks on air photographs centred at TL 4182 4980. It is defined by a large double-ditched rectilinear enclosure, most of which is visible measuring a maximum of 80m by 78m internally. This encloses an area containing numerous pits, rectilinear ditches and the rectangular foundation trenches and pits of at least three buildings. The two smaller buildings measure 9.8m by 6.3m and 12.4m by 6.8m. The outline of the largest building is again ditched, with a possible opposed entrances on the north and south. A line of pits extends along the the south face, parallel to the ditched building footings. A very sinuous and framentary trackway extends south from the south-east corner of the enclosure, before making a sharp turn towards the west. Many small pits were noted in and around this settlement, but were considered to be geological in nature. It is possible that archaeological elements may have been mis-interpreted.. A series of small rectangular pits to the immediate west of the settlement are considered to be extraction, probably much later in date, but the size and shape of some are not dissimilar to the known buildings. Although recorded separately as it far more likely these are extraction, they should not be wholly dismissed at this stage as not belonging to the settlement. The Bronze Age and Iron Age/Roman features mentioned by the above authorities have been recorded separately TL 417 497
Multi period cropmark complex, Harston Scheduled Monument Settlement site at Manor Farm
Ring ditches and other enclosures, pit alignment. At Hoffers Brook.Complex enclosure system. At Hoffers Bridge (CUCAP grid ref TL/418-/499-) Pit alignment of 400 feet in length recorded at TL416502. TL/416/501 Cropmarks of a complex of ring ditches, enclosures and a pit alignment visible on CUCAP APs. One of the ring ditches is a double ring ditch with the circles not concentric. The N and W sides of a large rectangular enclosure are visible with a possible entrance in the N side. The pit alignment is orientated NE to SW and extends over about 200,0m. A Bronze Age round barrow cemetery is visible as cropmarks on air photographs, centred at TL 4167 5005. The other features mentioned by the above authorities have been recorded separately (UID 1598430) as part of a later settlement and field system. Comprising at least six intermittently visible ring ditches, some of which are double ditched, these barrows lie within an extremely complex cropmark landscape; including Iron Age/Roman/early medieval settlement, medieval/post medieval land management, post medieval extraction and geological formations. The obvious funerary features are: a) The eastern half of a ring ditch at TL 4161 4998 with a maximum visible diameter measuring 24.5m. An abutting ditch may be an associated feature or a later part of the settlement. b) A complete ring ditch at TL 4162 5003 with a diameter of 22.7m. Two small pits are visible within this ring ditch, which could represent inhumations or may be associated with the later settlement. c) A partly visible ring ditch at TL 4166 5003 with a diameter of 19.5m. d) A possible ring ditch truncated by later settlement at TL 4171 5004 with a maximum visible diameter of 16.8m. e) An incomplete ring ditch at TL 4170 5008 with evidence of a concentric inner ditch. Outer ditch diameter of 24.5m. f) A large double ring ditch at TL 4176 5011, partly truncated by a medieval/post medieval field boundary (UID 1598437). The double ditch here might be representative of recutting due to the alignments being slightly off-centre. This internal diameter of the larger outer ditch measures 24.5m, and a very shallow mound may have survived as an earthwork until at least 1946. g) A potential seventh barrow ring ditch centred at TL 4168 4999. Only a small part of this ring ditch is visible, with a projected diameter of approximately 32m. This feature appears to have been heavily truncated by post medieval peat cutting (UID 1598433).
A number of possible other associated features are visible. A possible enclosure extends north-west from barrow “a”, appearing to abut the ring ditch. Extending south-east to north-west this feature measures at least 46m in length. The northern terminal is confused by natural cropmarks. Only the eastern side is clearly defined with two small pits visible internally at the north end. A parallel ditch is visible to the immediate west of this as a shallow earthwork, which could possibly be the return of the enclosure, though this side appears longer, measuring up to 87m with a terminus at the southern end. This feature could potentially be a truncated mortuary enclosure. Similarly two curvilinear ditches at TL 4167 4998 also appear to abut barrow ring ditch “g”, though their purpose is less clear. An extremely complex and extensive settlement of probable Iron Age/Roman and/or early medieval date is visible as cropmarks on air photographs, centred at TL 4180 5008. The nucleus of the settlement is in the south of the complex, at TL 4185 4999, where multiphased rectilinear enclosures extend alongside a south-east to north-west trackway. Although bisected by the A10 Royston Road, this settlement clearly extends to the immediate north-west. From here isolated pockets of rectilinear enclosures, trackways and field boundaries continue northwards, possibly following the line of an earlier meander in the River Cam, now a field boundary. Two pit alignments were noted: one in the north of the complex at TL 4199 5057 and probably part of the extensive field system; the other follows a different alignment completely and has been recorded separately. A possible round house was also identified in the north of the complex, at TL 4189 5052, and is defined by a ring ditch with a diameter of 12.5m. Cropmark linears and a possible trackway continuation are visible to the north-east of the complex, at TL 4218 5060, and may be associated. Numerous pits were mapped in and around the south of the complex. Some of these are almost certainly associated with the settlement, possibly even grubenhaus; others may be the location of inhumations relating to a Bronze Age Age barrow cemetery, the cropmarks of which are interspersed with, and in some places truncated by the settlement. One group of pits at TL 4178 5013 is particularly regular, with a large circular pit measuring 6m wide adjacent to an array of five smaller pits. The function of this feature is unclear. Limited excavation has revealed finds ranging from the Iron Age to early medieval. Elements have been truncated by sand and gravel extraction of post medieval date. This field is deep ploughed and nothing of these features is visible. A pit alignment of possible Iron Age/Roman date is visible as cropmarks on air photographs, centred at TL 4177 5013. The south-west to north-east alignment is located in a very complex cropmark landscape, but does not appear to display any relationships with other activity of later prehistoric/Roman date. The alignment measures 99m in length. TL 416 500.
Iron Age-Roman remains, Manor Farm, Harston Scheduled Monument Settlement site at Manor Farm Cropmark remains of possible trackway leading to Roman site at Manor Farm, Harston A complex of ditched enclosures (and TL/417-/496-) Fieldwork at Manor Farm, Harston, has shown that a cropmark complex scheduled as an ancient monument in 1978 retains substantial features immediately below shallow ploughsoil. Four main periods of occupation can be assigned: Bronze Age, C1st AD, C4th AD and Anglo-Saxon. Iron Age and Romano-British occupation can be seen from an extensive field system that contained two discrete assemblages. The earlier one dates to the first and second centuries AD, when it appears that a reasonably wealthy community lived on the site with locally produced pottery in the Iron Age tradition. There is little indication of activity in the immediate area during the C3rd, but it was occupied again in the C4th. The character of settlement in this period was different from that of earlier times, with all pottery being imported to the area, and it is possible that this occupation continued into early Saxon times. The field system appears to be mainly C1st and C2nd in date. Even though the settlement extended well into Roman times, it retained its Iron Age character. There was still, for example, a preference for locally made pots, which were often hand-made in Iron Age designs. No coins or jewellery were found. There was one fragment of a green glass urn, and a few flagon and Samian sherds, suggesting the impact of Romanisation was slight. There was little need for new settlements after the Roman conquest; instead it seems that families continued to live and farm with little upheaval. At Manor Farm the pottery seems to suggest a relatively prosperous farming settlement, with a veneer of Romanisation. Floor and roof tile fragments seem to be associated with this phase. The field system is orientated NW-SE with a major ditch to the E beyond which there appears to be virtually no activity, and a trackway represented by parallel ditches with a hollow way, along which small rectilinear ditched enclosures were offset. No phasing of the field system is possible, but it is clear that there are a number of episodes of ditch digging and recutting. Pottery variety and fine wares indicate that contemporary settlement must be very close by, although no direct evidence of house sites was found in the assessment area., This large group of cropmarks contains in the field to the NW of the A10 ring ditches, a pit alignment and various enclosures; in the field to the E of the farm further enclosures and ditches; and in the field to the S of the farm the clear traces of rectangular buildings of several kinds. This was part ploughed, part under crop at the time of the visit, nothing visible on the ground. AMI memorandum on deep ploughing applies. Nothing visible on ground at time of visit. Site lies to W of Rowley’s Hill where strip lynchets are marked on OS map. These apparent in profile on high ground. Three colour prints showing the cropmarks taken by R Parker, in early July 1986, from the air. Some quarrying at TL/4172/4998 in 1977. An enclosure complex and linear ditches of probable Iron Age/Roman date are visible as cropmarks on air photographs, centred at TL 4186 4954. The cropmarks of this possible settlement are very poor in nature and the nucleus of the activity occurs on a modern field boundary, obscuring much of the detail. The main enclosure is double ditched (or multi-phased) and has maximum visible internal dimensions measuring 27m by 103m. A number of ditches append this to the north, and a possible wide trackway/droveway extends to the south. An evaluation trench was placed across one of the enclosure ditches during a wide-scale evaluation of multi-period complexes in this area. The excavation revealed good quality Roman pottery. The nature of the confusing cropmarks, both geological and agricultural, probably mean that archaeological elements have been overlooked TL 418 495
Bronze Age ring ditches, Manor Farm, Harston Scheduled Monument Settlement site at Manor Farm Fieldwork at Manor Farm, Harston, has shown that a cropmark complex scheduled as an ancient monument in 1978 retains substantial features immediately below shallow ploughsoil. Four main periods of occupation can be assigned: Bronze Age, C1st AD, C4th AD and Anglo-Saxon. Apart from the late Mesolithic and Neolithic flintwork found during fieldwalking, the earliest features are two Bronze Age ring-ditches, one containing cremated bone. A group of field ditches may also be a product of Bronze Age activity.Three samples of charcoal were sent for radio carbon dating. Two ring ditches recorded as cropmarks on aerial photographs taken in 1962. The northern-most ditch measured roughly 20m in diameter, the southern-most feature measured 24m in diameter. TL 417 496
Cropmarks, Harston Scheduled Monument Settlement site at Manor Farm. Enclosures by parallel track and other features. An extremely complex and extensive settlement of probable Iron Age/Roman and/or early medieval date is visible as cropmarks on air photographs, centred at TL 4180 5008. The nucleus of the settlement is in the south of the complex, at TL 4185 4999, where multiphased rectilinear enclosures extend alonside a south-east to north-west trackway. Although bisected by the A10 Royston Road, this settlement clearly extends to the immediate north-west. From here isolated pockets of rectilinear enclosures, trackways and field boundaries continue northwards, possibly following the line of an earlier meander in the River Cam, now a field boundary. Two pit alignments were noted: one in the north of the complex at TL 4199 5057 and probably part of the extensive field system; the other follows a different alignment completely and has been recorded separately. A possible round house was also identified in the north of the complex, at TL 4189 5052, and is defined by a ring ditch with a diameter of 12.5m. Cropmark linears and a possible trackway continuation are visible to the north-east of the complex, at TL 4218 5060, and may be associated. Numerous pits were mapped in and around the south of the complex. Some of these are almost certainly associated with the settlement, possibly even grubenhaus; others may be the location of inhumations relating to a Bronze Age Age barrow cemetery the cropmarks of which are interspersed with, and in some places truncated by the settlement. One group of pits at TL 4178 5013 is particularly regular, with a large circular pit measuring 6m wide adjacent to an array of five smaller pits. The function of this feature is unclear. Limited excavation has revealed finds ranging from the Iron Age to early medieval. Elements have been truncated by sand and gravel extraction of post medieval date TL 418 503
Bronze Age burial, Manor Farm, Harston Human skeleton found 1961; plano-convex flint knife thought to have been associated with it; BA. TL 416 498
Roman enclosure site and nearby ring ditch, Harston Enclosures and ring ditch of probable Roman date, 650m northeast of Mortimers Farm, Cropmarks, rectangular enclosure. A few fragments of dark Roman coarse ware. Two adjacent Iron Age/Roman rectilinear enclosures are visible as cropmarks on air photographs, centred at TL 4186 4911. Both are only intermittently visible. The most complete of the two is elongated south-west to north-east and measures 179m by 60.5m internally. Only two sides of the second enclosure are visible, being located immediately to the north of the former. Roman coarse ware has been discovered at the location. A Bronze Age ring ditch is visible as a cropmark on air photographs centred at TL 4192 4924. The ring ditch has an internal diameter measuring 21m. Curvilinear enclosure shown on oblique image taken 2006 TL 418 491
Medieval to post medieval extractive pits, Harston . Series of rectilinear features interpreted as extractive pits recorded as cropmarks from aerial photographs dating to 1962. TL 417 497 (near Manor Farm)
Cropmarks, Harston . D shaped enclosure, linear feature, pit alignment. Undated rectilinear enclosures north of Roman settlement at Manor Farm, TL 422 500
Ring ditch, Harston Ring ditch. No finds or features. A Bronze Age round barrow ring ditch is visible as a cropmark on air photographs centred at TL 4204 4901. The ring ditch is slightly irregular, but is aligned on a number of other barrows to the north (UID 1602064, 1602074 and 1602073). It has an internal diameter measuring 25m. TL 420 490 (sw of Manor Farm)
Ring ditches, Rowley’s Hill, Harston Cropmarks of 6 ring ditches. 3 of the ring ditches, lie on a ridge running NW – SE. The others are situated on the S and E slopes of the ridge. Half the rings are incomplete. No finds or surface evidence of any of the features, which appear to be a barrow group. Ring ditches, “footprint”, narrow parallel ?track, suspect features. Geological disturbance in field. TL 427 496
Lynchet earthworks, Rowley’s Hill Harston Lynchets visible at TL 425498. Strip lynchets are situated on the NW side of Rowley’s Hill. Four have been ploughed out, although their sites can still be traced. The surviving lynchet at TL/4257/4992 attains a max height of 2,5m is 150,0m long and forms a terrace 20,0m wide. The other at TL/4258/4977 attains a max height of 2,0m is 160,0m long and forms a terrace 12,0m wide. TL 425 498
Ditches, Harston Ring ditches and some rectilinear ditches TL 424 496 (w of Rowley’s Hill)
Ring ditch and trackway, Harston Ring ditch and ? narrow parallel track. TL 422 493 (sw of Rowley’s Hill)
Possible ring ditches, Hoffer Brook, Harston Geophysical survey carried out in 2012 identified the degraded indications of at least three barrows and two linear features. TL 416 496
Probable post-medieval water meadow, Harston A possible post medieval water meadow is visible as earthworks on air photographs and 2010 LiDAR. The meadow comprises a complex network of adjoining drainage ditches at the confluence of the River Cam and Hoffer Brook. TL 416 502
Rectilinear enclosure, Harston Cropmarks showing a single rectilinear enclosure with an entrance way, of unknown date, 500m east of Hoffer Bridge, Harston. Rectilinear enclosure. Faint cropmarks of a possible sub-rectangular ditch-defined enclosure of uncertain date visible on aerial photographs taken in 2009 as part of the Historic England Aerial Reconnaissance programme. It measures approximately 60m square, has rounded corners and is located on Rowley’s Hill at c. TL 4219 4985. TL 421 498
Medieval to post medieval field boundaries, Harston . A medieval/post medieval field boundary ditch is visible as a cropmark on air photographs, centred at TL 4097 5050. The broad and sinuous nature of the boundary suggests that it may have originated as a natural water way, later turned over to a channel/drain. The feature is rested by medieval rige and furrow, but likely continued in use into the post medieval period. Fragmentary medieval/post medieval field boundary banks are visible as earthworks on 2010 lidar centred at TL 4197 4967. Most, if not all, of the banks probably originated in the medieval period probably as headlands, illustrated by the association with medieval ridge and furrow, but remained in use as field boundaries into the post medieval period. TL 414 500 (nr Hoffer Bridge).
Post medieval field boundaries and extraction, Harston Post medieval extraction, probably for sand and gravel, is visible as cropmarks on air photographs, centred at TL 4171 4999. Located at the confluence of Hoffer Brook and the River Cam, this extraction appears to have truncated large areas of Bronze Age funerary and later settlement activity. Post medieval field boundary ditches with probable medieval origins are visible as cropmarks on air photographs, centred at TL 4167 5004. The features are predominantly orientated north-west to south-east, and are located in a diverse multi-period landscape. One of the linears truncates a Bronze Age round barrow ring ditch TL 417 500
Bronze Age Activity, Royston Road, Harston Archaeological evaluation carried out in advance of residential development identified activity dating to the Bronze Age and early medieval. Two trenches were excavated. The evidence from trench 1 comprised a linear ditch containing two sherds of early medieval pottery, a pit containing Early to Middle Bronze Age pottery and two undated pits. Trench 2 contained seven archaeological features including a ditch with two possible later episodes of re-cutting, a posthole, a pit and a gully. No datable evidence was recovered from this trench. TL 422 506
Linear features, Harston Undated linear cropmarks east of Royston Road, Two parallel linear features. (In photograph they appear sunken in crop – therefore negative features which should indicate walls). An extremely complex and extensive settlement of probable Iron Age/Roman and/or early medieval date is visible as cropmarks on air photographs, centred at TL 4180 5008. The nucleus of the settlement is in the south of the complex, at TL 4185 4999, where multiphased rectilinear enclosures extend alonside a south-east to north-west trackway. Although bisected by the A10 Royston Road, this settlement clearly extends to the immediate north-west. From here isolated pockets of rectilinear enclosures, trackways and field boundaries continue northwards, possibly following the line of an earlier meander in the River Cam, now a field boundary. Two pit alignments were noted: one in the north of the complex at TL 4199 5057 and probably part of the extensive field system; the other follows a different alignment completely and has been recorded separately. A possible round house was also identified in the north of the complex, at TL 4189 5052, and is defined by a ring ditch with a diameter of 12.5m. Cropmark linears and a possible trackway continuation are visible to the north-east of the complex, at TL 4218 5060, and may be associated. Numerous pits were mapped in and around the south of the complex. Some of these are almost certainly associated with the settlement, possibly even grubenhaus; others may be the location of inhumations relating to a Bronze Age barrow cemetery the cropmarks of which are interspersed with, and in some places truncated by the settlement. One group of pits at TL 4178 5013 is particularly regular, with a large circular pit measuring 6m wide adjacent to an array of five smaller pits. The function of this feature is unclear. Limited excavation has revealed finds ranging from the Iron Age to early medieval. Elements have been truncated by sand and gravel extraction of post medieval date TL 421 505
Rectilinear enclosure and linear features, Harston Cropmarks of two rectilinear enclosures side by side, 1km west of Home Farm, Harston. Rectilinear enclosures and linear features. The sites fall in arable land which rises to the NE and is bounded by a steam to the SW. Field perambulation produced a few fragments of dark Romano British coarse ware beside the railway at TL 41884925. No evidence of any significant features was seen. The enclosures are probably Iron Age/Romano British and the ring ditches are possibly barrows. A small complex of Iron Age/Roman rectilinear enclosures and associated linear ditches are intermittently visible as cropmarks on air photographs centred at TL 4208 4878. The nucleus of the complex is on two relatively complete cropmarks of enclosures, measuring 83m by 80m and 60m by 57m, both with entrances on the west and east faces. A number of pits are dispersed within this group and a series of linear ditches extend between and to the south. The ring ditch mentioned by the above authorities has been recorded separately (UID 1602060). TL 420 487
Bronze Age/Iron Age remains, Harston Mill A single crouched human burial was found during evaluation. Although associated with a Saxon potsherd, the crouched posture of the body is not typical of Saxon inhumations. A small quantity of residual prehistoric pottery was also recovered during evaluation, suggested to be Middle Iron Age, in addition to a number of flint artefacts and earlier pottery. Evidence of late Iron Age activity was also present, in form the form of a ditch containing ‘Belgic’ wares in Trench 6. This ditch may be related to a cropmark enclosures identified from aerial photography. Following evaluation by trial trenching, a 1.5ha area was excavated revealing extensive evidence of Bronze Age and Iron Age occupation. The ring ditch of a Neolithic or Bronze Age round barrow was identified and was found to have been augmented during the Early Iron Age by the addition of two concentric timber circles. The single crouched burial, discovered during the evaluation phase was revealed to have been Early Iron Age in date and associated with these circles. A number of clusters of Iron Age pits and postholes were excavated, suggesting the presence of numerous round houses and four-poster granaries, while sub-areas of the settlement were marked by stretches of segmented and linear ditches. Nearly 200 rubbish pits were discovered and on excavation were found to contain animal bone, pottery, and other domestic refuse. Several of these pits were found to contain articulated and/or disarticulated human skeletal remains, butchered animal remains and whole vessels, suggesting that they also had a more ritualized function. Details of the contents of each pit can be found in Source 2. During the Later Iron Age, a rectangular ditched enclosure measuring 12m x 8.5m was constructed to the north of the site. Three long linear ditches indicate the creation of a field system laid out on a N/S E/W axis. These fields briefly continued into the Roman period, but were superseded by Roman boundary ditches. TL 419 506
Early to Middle Saxon settlement, Harston Mill A number of features were recorded during evaluation. The majority are Saxon in date and domestic in nature, comprising post holes, ditches as well as a possible Grubenhaus.. Excavation after evaluation by trial trenching revealed a number of Early and Middle Saxon settlement features. Six Anglo-Saxon buildings were discovered: three sunken featured buildings, each paired with a less substantial ancillary building. Several clusters of rubbish pits were also excavated, being revealed to contain pottery, animal bone, personal effects, domestic refuse and, very occasionally, fragments of human bone. No evidence of Anglo-Saxon funerary activity was discovered. During the Early and Middle Saxon periods the area of the settlement was gradually divided up by a series of parallel and co-axial drainage and boundary ditches laid on a NW/SE, E/W and N/S axes. The settlement was abandoned during the Middle Saxon period and by the Late Saxon period had been incorporated into the surrounding fieldscape. The area appears to have remained as river-side grazing throughout the medieval and post-medieval periods. TL 419 506
Cropmark enclosures, Harston Mill Undated square enclosures and ring ditches, Two small irregular enclosures. Aerial photographic assessment revealed a complex of buried enclosures, pits and linear features at TL41905065. An evaluation revealed ditches, pits and postholes, mainly of Saxon date. Evidence of Late Iron Age and probably also Middle Iron Age activity was also found. The ditches may be related to cropmark enclosures to the south of the evaluation area. An extremely complex and extensive settlement of probable Iron Age/Roman and/or early medieval date is visible as cropmarks on air photographs, centred at TL 4180 5008. The nucleus of the settlement is in the south of the complex, at TL 4185 4999, where multiphased rectilinear enclosures extend alonside a south-east to north-west trackway. Although bisected by the A10 Royston Road, this settlement clearly extends to the immediate north-west. From here isolated pockets of rectilinear enclosures, trackways and field boundaries continue northwards, possibly following the line of an earlier meander in the River Cam, now a field boundary. Two pit alignments were noted: one in the north of the complex at TL 4199 5057 and probably part of the extensive field system; the other follows a different alignment completely and has been recorded separately. A possible round house was also identified in the north of the complex, at TL 4189 5052, and is defined by a ring ditch with a diameter of 12.5m. Cropmark linears and a possible trackway continuation are visible to the north-east of the complex, at TL 4218 5060, and may be associated. Numerous pits were mapped in and around the south of the complex. Some of these are almost certainly associated with the settlement, possibly even grubenhaus; others may be the location of inhumations relating to a Bronze Age Age barrow cemetery the cropmarks of which are interspersed with, and in some places truncated by the settlement. One group of pits at TL 4178 5013 is particularly regular, with a large circular pit measuring 6m wide adjacent to an array of five smaller pits. The function of this feature is unclear. Limited excavation has revealed finds ranging from the Iron Age to early medieval. Elements have been truncated by sand and gravel extraction of post medieval date TL 419 505 .
Levelled medieval earthwork, Harston . A levelled medieval or post medieval earthwork is visible on aerial photography dated to 1952. The feature was no longer visible on LiDAR imagery dated to 2010. The feature runs c.100m from east to west. TL 417 509 (nr church)
Field boundaries, Harston The 2014 SW Cambridgeshire NAIS project identified two earthworks related to field boundaries on aerial photograph and LiDAR digital imagery. The features were visible in 1952 and 2010. The project tentatively dated them as of medieval date. TL 419 510 (Beech Farm)
Button End Harston Cropmarks of enclosures and numerous skeletons have been found at Button End over a distance of 1/4mile, directly adjacent to Beech Farm Cottages, TL 420 512
Medieval to post medieval field boundaries, Harston A group of medieval/post medieval field boundary ditches are visible as cropmarks on air photographs, centred at TL 4151 5220. Partly illustrated on early Ordnance Survey mapping, the broad ditches appear to have functioned as large drains, or possibly water channels between two points of a meander on the River Cam. This may have been to control the flow of water to a mill which is known to have been located somewhere on this meander. The narrower ditch in the complex may simply be a modern drain. A linear medieval and/or post medieval field boundary ditch is visible as cropmarks on air photographs, centred at TL 4163 5188. The west-south-west to east-north-east field boundary extends parallel to existing boundaries. TL 415 520 (n end of Button End footpath)
Linear features, Harston Cropmarks of linear features, possibly field boundaries adjacent to Apple Cottage, Linear features, probably recent field boundary. The 2014 SW Cambridgeshire NAIS project confirmed the presence of a series of linear field boundaries visible on aerial photography dated to 1989. The features are broadly E-W and N-S alignments and appear to form part of an enclosure. The project tentatively dated the cropmarks as Iron Age or Roman. The features are cut by the cropmark remains of a post medieval field boundary that runs on a northeast to southwest alignment. TL 421 515
Cropmark complex, Harston. Cropmarks of enclosures and numerous skeletons have been found at Button End over a distance of 1/4mile, directly adjacent to Beech Farm Cottages, Complex agglomerate system. The 2014 SW Cambridgeshire NAIS project confirmed the presence of a series of linear features and pits visible as cropmarks on aerial photography dated from 1969 to 1989. The features appear to form several rectilinear enclosures and cover an area measuring 155m (N-S) by 285m (E-W). Several of the field boundaries appear to be Medieval or post-medieval, although these features follow a different pattern to the undated features. TL 418 512
Former coprolite workings, Harston Probable extensive small-scale post medieval coprolite extraction is visible as cropmarks on air photographs, centred at TL 4165 5202. The extractive pits and workings are defined by a series of broad linear extractive pits, up to 67m in length. The HER records a number of enclosures at this location. Having studied the source photography it is likely that the ‘enclosures’ are actually coprolite extractive pits. TL 416 52(n end of Button End footpath)
Cropmark enclosures, Harston Cropmarks of two building outlines with adjacent incomplete enclosures to S and isolated possible building outline 120m to E. The major building appears L shaped with S arm c35m long by 9m.Sketch plotted on to 1:10,000 overlay TL 416 519 (n end of Button End footpath)
Ring ditches, Harston Two ring ditches, probably Bronze Age round barrows, are visible as cropmarks on air photographs, centred at TL 4186 5219 and TL 4190 5217. These features have respective internal diameters measuring 4.6m and 12.3m. TL 418 521 (e of Button End footpath)
Post medieval ditches and pits, High Street, Harston Archaeological evalaution carried out in advance of residential and commercial development consisted of three trenches and revealed a number of archaeological features of primarily post medieval date. The evidence from trench 1 consisted of three pits, one of which contained post medieval pottery and six tree throws. Trench 2 contained one post medieval ditch, one medieval ditch, one undated pit and two modern pits. TL 424 508
Cropmarks, Harston Cropmarks of rectilinear enclosures and tracks and linear ditches adjacent to Harston High Street, Rectilinear enclosures plus tracks and linear features (large cluster complex). Series of rectilinear enclosures and linear features visible on aerial imagery. At the southern end, a substantial sub square enclosure measuring 70m east-west and 60m north-south survives particularly well. Some traces of internal features are present and the ditch measures between 3-4m wide. North of this enclosure are a number of rectilinear enclosures and linear ditches indicative of a multiphase settlement that are less visible and extending for at least 180m. Google Earth imagery from 2020 indicate further survival in the north with evidence of a possible drove way between enclosures. TL 424 515
Undated ditch at 53 London Road, Harston A total of 5 trenches were excavated and revealed one undated north-south ditch. No other features were revealed and no finds were recovered. TL 434514
Rectilinear ditches, Harston Rectilinear ditches, possible enclosure. TL 436 512 (e end London Road)
Undated features, London Road, Harston Evaluation at 15 London Road, Harston. An evaluation revealed a small number of archaeological features comprising a ditch, a gully, two pits and six plough scars. One of the plough scars produced a copper alloy button, although no other finds were recorded from the features. All of the linear features followed a rough NW/SE alignment, suggesting they may have been contemporary. TL 432 516
Rectilinear enclosures 360m west of Keepers Cottage, Harston Two partial rectilinear enclosures and two linear features recorded in fields to the west of Keepers Cottage. Enclosure A at TL434 507 measures 72m north-south while enclosure B adjoins it on the southern side. Two parallel linear features are recorded at TL432 507 on a north-south alignment were also recorded. The two parallel linear features at TL 432 507 appear to be joined by a fainter linear feature at thir southern ends on aerial photography from 2013, forming three sides of a third enclosure with its northern edge obscured by the line of the Great Eastern Railway. Cropmarks of the southern part of a rectangular ditch-defined enclosure of uncertain date visible AT TL 4329 5074 on aerial photographs taken in 2009 as part of the Historic England Aerial Reconnaissance programme. The enclosure is truncated by the railway line to the south of Harston and may continue to the north of the railway. A single perpendicular ditch extends south-west from the south-western side of the enclosure. TL 434 507
Rectilinear enclosures 370m south of Keepers Cottage, Harston Evidence of a partially surviving rectilinear enclosure is visible to the northwest of the first enclosure at TL436 504 measuring 110m north-south. Only the north and east arms are visible on aerial photographs from 2013. Two linear features on an east-west alignment are also visible. Cropmarks of a possible incomplete sub-rectangular enclosure of uncertain date seen as parts of two perpendicular ditches joined by a curved corner at approximately TL 4362 5045 visible on aerial photographs taken in 2009 as part of the Historic England Aerial Reconnaissance programme. TL 436 504
Rectilinear enclosure, 140m east of Moor Barn, Harston . Evidence of a rectilinear enclosure measuring 70m north-south by 72m east-west at TL44185097. Two possible entrances are visible on the southern arm of the enclosure and a right-angle ditch extends south from it. The cropmarks of a possible Iron Age or Roman enclosure can be seen on Historic England reconnaissance aerial photographs taken in July 2015. Three of its four corners are visible and these are all rounded. There is an entrance near the south-east corner. To the west of the enclosure there are a number of linear features at TL44075091 on an approximate north-south alignment. To the north there is evidence of a rectilinear enclosure at TL44085105. Three sides are visible indicating a north-south measurement of 58m. TL 441 509
Rectilinear enclosures, Harston Undated cropmark remains of Rectilinear enclosures, Shelford Road, Harston. Rectilinear enclosures, ? fields. The presence of a large rectilinear enclosure can be seen on aerial photography dated to 2013. The enclosure measures roughly 210m north to south and has sever Rectangular Enclosure, Harston Cropmark remains of rectangular Enclosure. A rectangular enclosure is visible on aerial photographs dated between 2009 and 2013. The enclosure measures roughly 45m by 25m. Several linear features that may be associated with the enclosure are visible 45m to the south. The cropmarks of a possible Iron Age or Roman enclosure can be seen on Historic England reconnaissance aerial photographs taken in July 2015. This rectilinear enclosure is situated at TL 4413 5067. Other linear cropmarks to the south may be boundary ditches. This enclosure may be associated with other nearby cropmarks of enclosures. TL 441 506 (s of Magot’s Mount)al sub division within it. TL 443 509
Undated rectilinear enclosure north of the Old Windmill, Harston Rectilinear enclosure visible on aerial imagery from 2013. The enclosure consists of two parallel linear features on a north-south alignment approximately 47m apart, traces of a third ditch can be seen at the southern end forming a partial enclosure. TL 432 507
Linear cropmarks, Harston. Double parallel track plus three sided linear feature (no evidence for it being enclosure) TL 434 506 (n of Old Windmill)
Cropmarks of two Iron Age or Roman enclosures, Harston The cropmarks of two conjoined Iron Age or Roman enclosures can be seen on Historic England reconnaissance aerial photographs taken in July 2015. These two enclosures are aligned end to end for a total distance of approximately 250m, with a width of between 60m-70m. They are centred on TL 4325 5039. The northern enclosure is the smaller with a length of approximately 110m. The ditch defining the north-eastern side is relatively straight. Faint cropmarks to the north and south suggests that the enclosures were built against this longer boundary. The ditch that defines the south-western side of these enclosures follows a more undulating course. The enclosure overlaps with a track defined by the cropmarks of parallel ditches. This can be followed north-eastwards across three modern fields for approximately 650m. There are a number of other Iron Age or Roman enclosures within these fields. TL 432 503 (n of Old Windmill)
Earthwork remains of ridge and furrow, Harston Evidence of straight ridge and furrow agricultural earthworks visible in a field adjacent to Baggot Hall. The ridge and furrow is aligned northeast to southwest. Isolated fragments of medieval ridge and furrow are visible as earthworks and soilmarks on air photographs and lidar along the western edge of the parish of Harston, centred at TL 4177 5087. The southern elements respect medieval/post medieval field boundary banks TL 421 510
Former remains of ridge and furrow, Harston. Evidence of straight ridge and furrow agricultural earthworks visible in a field adjacent to Baggot Hall. The ridge and furrow is aligned northeast to southwest. Isolated fragments of medieval ridge and furrow are visible as earthworks and soilmarks on air photographs and lidar along the western edge of the parish of Harston, centred at TL 4177 5087. The southern elements respect medieval/post medieval field boundary banks TL 419 499
Cropmarks, Harston Cropmarks of a double ring ditch, parts of rectilinear enclosures and linear ditches west of Rectory Farm, Harston. Double ring ditch, parts of rectilinear enclosures, linear ditches, area confused by frost cracking TL 422 523
Cropmark enclosure, Rectory Farm, Harston Undated enclosures recorded as cropmarks, east of Rectory Farm Rectilinear enclosure system (axial layout). TL 430 520
Linear features, Harston Cropmarks showing linear features presumably ditches 400m west of Rectory Farm, Harston. Linear features – negative cropmarks, but presumably ditches. Continuation of the linear features to the NW show on this AP. TL 422 520
D-shaped enclosure, Harston TL 423 526 (n of parish near Hauxton sewage works)
Former coprolite workings, Harston. Cropmarks of an area of probable 19th century coprolite mining extending over approximately an acre (100m x 100m) in a single field centred at TL 4261 5327. These features are visible on aerial photographs taken in 2009 as part of the Historic England Aerial Reconnaissance programme. The extraction appears as numerous adjacent areas containing short closely spaced parallel marks. Those in adjacent areas frequently have different alignments. TL 426 532 (n of parish near Hauxton sewage works)
Cluster of enclosures, Harston Cluster of enclosures including some superimposed. Geological and recent boundary change disturbance plus ? coprolite digging.Old water course plus ring ditch. There are also former field boundaries which cut this water course. Cropmarks of a single small ring ditch possibly a later prehistoric hut circle or a small Bronze Age round barrow visible on aerial photographs taken in 2009 as part of the Historic England Aerial Reconnaissance programme. Cropmarks of a pair of ditched enclosures, possibly later prehistoric or Roman in date located at approximately TL 4266 5330, visible on aerial on aerial photographs taken in 2009 and again in 2015 as part of the Historic England Aerial Reconnaissance programme. The western enclosure is sub-circular and slightly irregular, the eastern is sub-rectangular with irregular sides, slightly rounded corners and traces of internal pits which may or may not be associated with the enclosure. Cropmarks of a large single ring ditch, probably the remains of a levelled Bronze Age round barrow. The barrow Is located at approximately TL 4274 5328 and appears to lie beneath the remains of two conjoined sub-rectangular enclosures. Cropmarks of two large conjoined sub-rectangular enclosures possibly a small settlement of Iron Age or Roman date. Cropmarks of a single sub-square enclosure of Iron Age or Roman date. TL 427 534 (n of parish near Hauxton sewage works)
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