Roman and Iron Age finds at college

Roman remains have been discovered at an archaeological dig at a Cambridge theological college which is planning a £9 million extension.

A major project to update and create state-of-the-art teaching and living space at Ridley Hall meant archaeologists were drafted in to carry out a survey.

After removing the topsoil the experts from Access Cambridge Archaeology discovered the “tantalising possibilities” of a Roman settlement, and even some remains dating back 3,000 years to the Iron Age.

Now the 11-day dig at the hall, founded in 1881, has been opened up to the community with local residents and 20 sixth formers from across the country selected to volunteer at the site and have a hand in recording its history.

Dr Carenza Lewis, director of Access Cambridge Archaeology, told the News: “There are tantalising possibilities here.

“We have found signs of a Roman settlement and there may also be some Iron Age remains which will be excavated and recorded.

“The volunteers will be taking part in real research and will have the opportunity to gain new skills and knowledge.”

Colin MacRae, bursar at Ridley Hall, added it gave the community an opportunity to “explore the roots of Cambridge’s past”.

He said: “We are delighted to be working with Access Cambridge Archaeology on this exciting project.

“We pride ourselves on being an open community and we look forward to welcoming the volunteer teams.

“Our new building is essential to our plans for the future and, at this stage of the design process, gives us a wonderful opportunity to explore the roots of Cambridge’s past.”

Cambridgeshire is a county rich in archaeology and recent excavations at Trumpington Meadows unearthed significant findings including the grave of a teenage girl from the mid-7th century which held two extremely rare finds – a ‘bed burial’ and an early Christian gold and garnet cross.

The foundations for the building project at Ridley Hall will be laid after the dig has finished and will include new teaching space, a multi-purpose auditorium, further residential accommodation, an audio-visual studio and additional social space.

The dig turned up multiple finds including a copper Roman ring, Roman animal bones and tiles, possibly used for a house or farm’s heating system. But the majority of the discoveries were even older – including many flint blades from the Iron Age
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