Showing 563 results

<059>: 652g, context 26, modern garden

F.51: a mixed context. This contained three sherds of 18th century Chinese export porcelain (5g), a sherd of late 18th or early 19th century creamware (3g), a sherd of 16th to 18th century tin-glazed earthenware (6g), a sherd of 18th or 19th century lead-glazed earthenware (2g), a sherd of 18th century Staffordshire-type slipware (11g) and two sherds of 16th to 17th century German stoneware (107g).

<068> type 9 bowl c.1680-1710 MNI 1

<076> stem only

F.52: a mixed context. This contained a sherd of 19th century refined white earthenware (5g), a sherd of 16th to 19th century plain red coarseware (4g), a sherd of 13th to 15th century buff coarseware (3g) and six sherds of 13th to 15th century grey coarseware (97g).

<081> 112g, with traces of MR, Context 36, Feature 11

<087> stem only

F.16, <091>: contained a mixed assemblage. This included neck fragments derived from two hand blown phials or perfume bottles (4g and 1g respectively). These are probably 17th or 18th century in date. The context also contained three fragments of window glass and two intrusive fragments derived from 19th or early 20th century vessels.

<093> stem only

<099> stem only

<098> 78g, Context 45

<102> stem only

F.24: this contained a single sherd of abraded grey coarseware (5g), which is most probably Roman in date.

<010> stem only

<006> 2 type 5 bowls c.1640-60. plus one fragment no earlier than c.1660-80 (plus 2 heel/spurs) MNI 4

[095], F.33: a 16th century or 17th century context. This was dominated by glazed red earthenware (34 sherds, weighing 494g), and also contained a quantity of Frechen stoneware (22 sherds, weighing 574g); three fragments bearing embossed decoration – including portions of two coats of arms – were identified. Also present were five sherds of bichromatic red earthenware (30g), six sherds of Babylon-type lead-glazed earthenware (71g), two sherds of tin-glazed earthenware (4g) and six sherds of plain red coarseware (216g), plus two residual sherds of 15th to 16th century Seigburg stoneware (33g), and two sherds of 13th to 15th century grey coarseware (15g).

Trench 2: a number of fragments derived from a large onion bottle (of 17th/18th century date) were identified, along with the stems and the base of the bowls of two 18th century wine glasses. The stem of a 19th century wine glass was also identified, along with a near complete small rectangular 19th century bottle marked ‘Judson / London’. Finally, a minimum of two 19th century Codd bottles were present, each marked with the name of a Cambridge manufacturer (Woods, 1858+ and Ekin, c. 1841-57) as well as two local Lincoln beer bottles (1870+).

(partially discarded)

[015], F.18, <038>: a fragment with mottled yellow and brown decoration, which
measures 23mm thick and weighs 84g.

[015] (lower interface with [17]), F.18, <044>: two fragments, each of which bears a dark
green glaze. The first example measures 23mm thick and weighs 90g, whilst the second
measures 30mm thick and weighs 154g.

[016], F.19, <054>: a fragment near identical to those described above, with a similar dark
green glaze. It measures 30mm thick, and weighs 146g.

A single worked stone fragment was recovered from a stratified context. This consisted of a fine-grained bluish grey vesicular quernstone fragment that is identifiable as Niedermendig Műlstein lava (also known as Rhenish or Mayen lava) from the Eifel region in Germany (Kars 1983). Although such querns were frequently used during the Roman period, and are common finds on Middle and Late Saxon sites, they are much rarer in the Medieval period as their use was controlled following the Norman Conquest and many people were instead compelled to use centrally regulated mills (Watts 2002, 38-42). Therefore, although it occurred residually in a later context, this example is likely to be pre-12th century in origin.

[016], F.19, <058>: a Niedermendig Műlstein lava quern fragment. It measures 105mm by 96mm in extent and 30mm thick, and weighs 414g.

1g, Context B, Pit 1

3g, Context 16

The animal bone assemblage totalled 673 assessable specimens (8901g), of which 315 were identified to species. The material was recovered from cut features; other closed contexts – layers and spreads from Trench 1 and 2. It displayed a good level of preservation, with minimal or no surface erosion and weathering. Based on the provenance and the chronology of the material, several sub-sets were created in order to study the assemblage (see Tables 4-6). The zooarchaeological investigation followed the system implemented by Bournemouth University with all identifiable elements recorded (NISP: Number of Identifiable Specimens)
and diagnostic zoning (amended from Dobney & Reilly 1988) used to calculate MNE (Minimum Number of Elements) from which MNI (Minimum Number of Individuals) was derived. Identification of the assemblage was undertaken with the aid of Schmid (1972),
37 Hillson (1999) and reference material from the Cambridge Archaeological Unit, Cambridge. Most, but not all, caprine bones are difficult to identify to species; however, it was possible to identify a limited range of sheep specimens from the assemblage, using the criteria of Boessneck (1969). Unidentifiable fragments were assigned to general size categories where possible. Ageing of the assemblage employed both mandibular tooth wear (Grant 1982; Payne 1973) and fusion of proximal and distal epiphyses (Silver 1969). Sexing using morphological characteristics was only undertaken for pig canines based on their size, shape and root morphology (Schmid 1972: 80-81). The Gallus/ Numida/ Phasianus group of closely related Galliformes are difficult to distinguish and these were only recorded as Galliformes. Other bird identifications will, at this stage, have to remain provisional or left at Family/ Order level pending further specialist analysis. Taphonomic criteria including indications of butchery, pathology, gnawing activity and surface modifications as a result of weathering were also recorded when evident.

Two pits produced the total of 48 bone specimens. The range of species is relatively varied, given the small quantity of faunal material. Pit B/D yielded a small, yet interesting array of domestic and wild species with sheep accounting for 72.8% of the sub-set and giving the MNI count for three individual animals (Table 4). An articulated cat skeleton came from pit B/D aged 4 to 8 months. Butchery was crude, noted on 10 specimens (23.2%) including rabbit and sheep/ goat. The most common actions were performed to prepare for disarticulation or to dismember portions of skeleton.

17th c. pit F.33 17th/18th c. pit F.32
Taxon NISP NISP% MNI NISP NISP% MNI
Cattle . . . 5 100 2
Sheep/Goat 24 72.8 3 . . .
Sheep 2 6.1 1 . . .
Pig 1 3 1 . . .
Dog 1 3 1 . . .
Cat 1 3 1 . . .
Rabbit 3 9.1 1 . . .
Pheasant 1 3 1 . . .
Total ID to species 33 100 . 5 100 .
Cattle-sized 3 . . . . .
Sheep-sized 6 . . . . .
Bird n.f.i. 1 . . . . .
Total 43 . 5 .
Table 4: Number of Identified Specimens and Minimum Number of Individuals for pits;
articulated skeleton; the abbreviation n.f.i. denotes the specimen could not be further
identified.

A further 70 assessable fragments came from two layers: [15] and [16]. Sheep is again the prevalent species, with a limited range of bird species being present (Table 5). A midshaft fragment of a human fibula also came from [15]. One of the unidentified bird specimens could potentially represent a bird of prey; however, this identification will have to be undertaken at later stage.

A range of other ambiguously dated contexts produced the largest sub-set within the assemblage totalling 237 fragments, of which 76 were identified to species (32%). A relatively broad range of bird species was recorded, with a portion of the bird component being identified to species level (provisionally - pending further identifications) and the remainder being assigned to a family or order (Table 6). Of 237 specimens from this sub-set, 133 came from [043] and this is also where the majority of the birds came from. Animal bone material coming from spreads in trench 1 and trench 2 showed a similar range of species, although, it
would seem, with a slightly greater emphasis on the livestock component of the assemblage. Butchery was relatively common and it is noteworthy that cut marks were also recorded on bird and rabbit bones, which a testimony to a good preservation.

Taxon NISP NISP% MNI NISP NISP% MNI
Cattle 7 23.3 1 1 6.25 1
Sheep/Goat 12 40.1 1 9 56.25 1
Sheep 5 16.7 1 1 6.25 1
Pig 1 3.3 1 1 6.25 1
Rabbit 2 6.7 1 1 6.25 1
Dom. goose 1 3.3 1 . . .
Chicken 1 3.3 1 . . .
Pheasant 1 3.3 1 1 6.25 1
Wood pigeon? . 1 6.25 1
Frog/ toad . . 1 6.25 1
Total ID to species 30 100 . 16 100 .
Cattle-sized 7 . . 1 . .
Sheep-sized 3 . . 3 . .
Bird n.f.i. 7 . . 3 . .
Total 47 . 23 .

Table 5: Number of Identified Specimens and Minimum Number of Individuals for contexts
[015] and [016].

Other contexts Trench 1 Trench 2
Taxon NISP NISP% MNI NISP NISP% MNI NISP NISP% MNI
Cattle . . . 14 15.1 1 25 40.3 3
Sheep/Goat 40 52.6 2 47 50.5 6 22 35.5 3
Sheep . . . 2 2.1 1 8 12.9 4
Pig 2 2.6 . 18 19.4 2 4 6.5 1
Dog 1 1.3 . . . . . . .
Cat 1 1.3 . 1 1.1 1 . . .
Rabbit 17 22.3 3 4 4.3 1 3 4.8 1
Dom. goose 3 4 . 2 2.1 1 . . 1
Chicken 3 4 . 4 4.3 1 . . 1
Pheasant 3 4 . . . . . . .
Mallard 3 4 . 1 1.1 1 . . 1
Snipe? 2 2.6 . . . . . . .
Wood pigeon? 1 1.3 . . . . . .
Total ID to species 76 100 . 93 100 . 62 100 .
Corvid 1 . . . . . . . .
Wader n.f.i. 3 . . 2 . . . . .
Galliformes 12 . . 4 . . 1 . .
Anseriformes 1 . . . . . . . .
Cattle-sized 8 . . 37 . . 6 . .
Sheep-sized 82 . . 57 . . 23 . .
Mammal n.f.i. 7 . . . . . . .
Bird n.f.i. 43 . . 17 . . 11 . .
Fish n.f.i. 4 . . 4 . . 1 . .
Total 237 . . 214 . . 104 . .
Table 6: Number of Identified Specimens and Minimum Number of Individuals for other
contexts and unstratified finds from trenches.

In conclusion, in 17th and 18th century Jesus College mutton appears to have been regularly eaten, followed by rabbit and a wide array of bird species, both domestic and wild. One butchery action was exceptionally common in this assemblage and that is splitting animal carcass in half by chopping the vertebrae along the dorso-ventral axis. Although present in some prehistoric
assemblages, this butchery technique was extremely rare until the 16th century when it becomes increasingly important (Maltby 1979). In general, domestic species appear to have made a major contribution with a number of wild species hinting at remains of ‘high table’ banquets. The assemblage is broadly similar to the Trinity Kitchen’s faunal record (Rajkovača in prep.) in terms of
the range of species and comparable butchery techniques. When viewed against other contemporaneous assemblages from the city, it has the potential to offer more distinct answers about socio-economic and dietary practices from Medieval and Post-Medieval Cambridge.

<134>: Two copper alloy lace chapes, or aiglets; large numbers of these objects are commonly found on Medieval and post-Medieval sites and contexts. These examples are well preserved and most likely of Late Medieval data. Similar examples are published from London and Norwich (Margeson 1993; Egan 2005, 53). Dimensions: length 18.3 & 20.3mm; combined weight <1g.

SF17: Quatrefoil furniture mount/surround made from sheet copper alloy for a drop-handle, diamond shaped with a central piercing. The petals each have a raised boss and chased radial lines: 27.5mm x 27.9mm, weight 4g. 16th – 17th century in date.

Tr. 1: Single copper alloy lace chape or aiglet similar to <134> above; length 21.44mm.

weight: 25g

Tr. 1: Lead stylus with one pointed and one flat end and used in a similar fashion to a pencil. Examples from Coppergate, York exist and are identical to Winchester Class 2 type styli and generally date from the 13th to 15th centuries (Ottaway & Rogers 2002, 2934). Length 104mm.

weight: 11g

<158>: Very thin copper alloy pin, poorly preserved, and missing its head. Pins are ubiquitous items and this example is probably Late Medieval to early post-Medieval in date; length c. 42.6mm, weight <0.5g.

Tr. 2: Circular, flat lead disc with traces of two fixings; possibly a lid or similar. Diameter 24.8mm; undated.

Three copper alloy pins

Tr. 2: Very small, probably copper alloy, pin missing its point. Length 19.5mm, head diameter 1.7mm.

Contained ten sherds, nine of which are from one vessel. The vessel represented by nine sherds (206g) from [001] is in a hard, reduced fabric with common fine to medium sand and sparse voids from plant material. Most of the sherd edges are very fresh showing breakage upon excavation. Five of the sherds refit to form a substantial rim and wall fragment, 15cm high. A slight flaring of the vessel wall at the lower end suggests that the profile is complete almost the base. Wall width is generally 1.1cm. Too little of the rim diameter survives for accurate measurement, but it seems to be 20cm or more. The vessel can be described as a coarseware bowl of 'saucepan pot' type with an upright rim and slack shoulder. The rim profile varies along the sherd, at one end being of a simple rounded form, and at the other being irregularly thickened both internally and externally to give a slightly T-shaped profile. The upper surface of the rim is embellished with fingernail impressions, placed diagonally to give a 'cabled' effect. The outer surface of the pot has a rough feel, and at the shoulder is actually fairly irregularly formed.
The remaining sherd (6g) from [001] is a rim in a hard fabric with common fine to medium sand and sparse medium to coarse chalk. This is a simple upright flat-topped rim with no decoration. In form and fabric the bowl from [001] is characteristic of the later Iron Age (after c. 300 BC) of eastern England.

Teeth in situ.

Single sherd of Samian pottery.

Probably a beaker. The recovery of Beaker pottery (in residual context) can only be considered a ‘background’ find and generally reflective of later Neolithic/Early Bronze Age activity on the riverside terrace.

Cinders.

1 piece is Samian, 3 are 18th or 19th century. Samian sherd is 9g with rouletted decoration. Identified by K.Anderson, this is a fragment of a Central Gaulish 18R dish (1st-2nd century AD).

Clay pipe stem.