Roman gravel pits, cremation burials and possible pyre sites, part of N cemetery, to the north of Great Chesterford (EHER 13925)

The excavation of the Anglo-Saxon cemetery (EHER 4939) by V.I. Evison in 1953–1955 also revealed features of Roman date, despite the brief being heavily limited to the excavation of Anglo-Saxon graves only. Many Roman features were not investigated and likely destroyed. The excavation recorded seven large, irregular pits, probably Roman gravel extraction pits, and three post holes. Several areas of burning were also noted, and an area comprising three layers of weathered gravel. The in-situ burning was initially interpreted as a hearth, but later reinterpreted as a possible pyre site. The gravel layers are possibly the remains of a Roman road. Most notably, six cremation burials were recorded, five of which were arranged in a 'quincunx' (a geometric arrangement of five points, arranged as four corners around a central point) and which may have been covered with tumuli.

1953-1954. Salvage excavations (Phases I-III). The rescue excavations for the Inspectorate of Ancient Monuments and prompted by commercial gravel extraction were heavily restricted by the commercial operators. The brief was often limited to the excavation of Anglo-Saxon graves only (see EHER 4939 more details) and excavation of Roman pits was not permitted, for the convenience of the machines used for gravel extraction which required level ground. As a result, many Roman features (although noted) were not investigated and likely destroyed. Despite this, at least six Roman cremation burials were excavated, see discussion below. Seven large pits or scoops probably cut in antiquity to extract gravel, most were fairly irregular and seem to have slumped soon after, or as, they were cut. Many were cut by Saxon graves (EHER 4939). Several areas of burning were found, the larger being at the northern end of the site, one area may have been a hearth. A small area of chalk lumps was not considered large enough or the right shape to be a floor, although associated with Roman pottery it could have been a recent disturbance. Three post-holes were found cut into the natural gravel. Approximately 100m SSE of the north gate of the Roman town, three superimposed layers of weathered gravel were seen, and were presumably the remains of a Roman road. The north ditch of the fort was also seen. The general layers over the site produced large quantities of material ranging in date from the first century (e.g. glass and some of the coarse pottery and late 1st century samian) to the end of the fourth century. Pits 1,3,4, and 6 are fourth century and Pits 2 and 5 are later 3rd century. The coins date from the later 2nd century up to around AD 378 with the bulk in the third century. Most pottery dates from the second and third centuries. This area outside the north gate of the town seems to have been used for rubbish disposal and gravel-quarrying throughout the Roman period, with the bulk of the material found dating from the second or third centuries. Draper's report states that no Roman burials were found in this area, although Saxon burials were (EHER 4939). However, Going says that several Roman burials were excavated within the Saxon cemetery area. <1> <2> Six cremation burials were found within the area of the Anglo-Saxon cemetery. They comprised five groups of pots arranged in a quincunx of Hadrianic-Antonine date and a sixth group some distance from the others of third century AD date. It is thought that the cremations would have had tumuli visible, which may have been reused during the Saxon period. It is possible that areas of burning to the north of the site could have been pyre sites. Cremation vessels include a 'poppyhead beaker' and Samian dishes. Metalwork found in the vicinity of the cremations include casket fittings (which suggest that further burials existed), a bronze scabbard chape of first century date, a bone hair pin, coins and vessel and window glass. A Nene valley mortarium came from Saxon cremation 32. <3> Site Assessment: Extent of cemetery or cemeteries unknown; some graves no doubt destroyed by gravel quarrying without record. Further burials may lie undisturbed to the east of the excavated area. <3> The excavation of the Anglo-Saxon cemetery by V. Evison in 1953–1954 also revealed features of Roman date. These included the north ditch of the fort and a length of weathered gravel thought to be part of a Roman road. There were seven large pits or scoops, probably cut to extract gravel, several areas of burning and three post-holes. The finds range in date from the 1st to the 4th century, with the pits dating to the later 3rd and 4th centuries. Six Roman cremation burials were found within the area of the Anglo-Saxon cemetery. They comprised five groups of pots of Hadrianic–Antonine date arranged in a 'quincunx' (a geometric arrangement of five points, arranged as four corners around a central point) and a sixth group of 3rd-century AD date some distance from the others. It is thought that the cremations would have been covered by visible tumuli which may have been reused during the Saxon period. It is possible that areas of burning to the north of the site could have been pyre sites. Metalwork found in the vicinity of the cremations include casket fittings, which suggest that further burials existed, and a bronze scabbard chape of 1st-century date; a bone hairpin, coins and vessel and window glass were also found. <4>