Possible section of 4th century town wall (or more likely west wall of Second Walled Enclosure) at Mill Cottage, Great Chesterford (EHER 4941)

Groundworks at the cottage in 1982 exposed a wall foundation comprised of flint and mortar. It was originally thought to be part of the 4th century town wall enclosure (EHER 4915) but later reinterpreted as the west wall of the Seconf Walled Enclosure (EHER 13922).

The north east end of the plot was found to be, possibly, crossed by the Roman town wall. If so the line of the wall went a little further towards the Cam than so far conjectured. <1> - <4> Source <2> has plans and sections of the wall line. 1982. Exposure by ground works and subsequent recording by E.C. Price. During the construction of an extension to the north end of Mill Cottage a wall foundation was exposed and it was recorded by E.C. Price. The foundation comprised flint masonry and mortar. The construction was thought to be Roman and, if so, would suggest Mill Cottage was built on the remains of the Roman Town wall footings. The details were expected to be published by the Great Chesterford Archaeological Society. <2> <3> Subsequent analysis by T. Collins interpreted a sample of the mortar to be Romano-British and it was therefore thought to be proof that the line of the wall continued a little further towards the River Cam than had so far been conjectured. <4> Two photos in the EHER. <5> Communication from P. Dey in 1995 suggests that the wall foundation may be part of the second walled enclosure hypothesised by T. Collins (EHER 13922) and not the town wall. The letter also highlighted some conjecture over the width of the foundations, which had previously been stated to be 4m. <6> Site Assessment: An area of prime importance deserving attention before further development. <1> Exposed foundations were recorded by E.C. Price. <2> See also <7>.