- JCARCH/JCW03/010
- Iron Age
Part of Archaeological Finds
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Part of Archaeological Finds
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).
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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.
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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.
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Includes documentary archive relating to excavation, mainly site drawings. Includes site plans, sections of trenches, photographs, context locations and descriptions.
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Tr. 2: Very small, probably copper alloy, pin missing its point. Length 19.5mm, head diameter 1.7mm.
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Tr. 2: Circular, flat lead disc with traces of two fixings; possibly a lid or similar. Diameter 24.8mm; undated.
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Tr. 2: ‘Boy Bishop’ token, probably made in Bury St Edmunds or Ely. This example is probably of the half-groat size. Obverse has a crudely executed Bishop’s mitre and the reverse a standard long-cross, triple pellets within the central field and illegible legend. Diameter c. 27mm. Boy Bishop tokens were issued during the Christmas festive period between St Nicholas’ day on the 6th December until Childermas (or Holy Innocents’ Day) on the 28th December. During this period, a choirboy was elected as bishop and treated as a real bishop. During his time as bishop, the Boy Bishop lead processions and preached sermons, but was not allowed to celebrate Mass. The Boy Bishop would preach a sermon on the 28th December, resigning the same day. In some cities and towns, especially East Anglia lead tokens were issued, with the main centre at Bury St Edmunds, although the practice also exited at Sudbury, Ipswich and Ely. Tokens were typically exchanged for alms. Most tokens were based on general coinage and groat size, the half-groat size, such as this example, being much rarer, with more finely detailed ones generally earlier in date. The practice of electing Boy Bishops effectively ended with the Dissolution in 1536 (for a fuller discussion on these objects see Rigold 1977).
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<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.
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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.
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Tr. 2: Pair of corroded and concreted metalworking or smithing pliers. These tools were used in blacksmithing for the removal of nails from horseshoes, hot working and general craft activities (weight 229g, length c. 150mm); found with several square cross- sectioned nails and fragment of a horseshoe (weight 68g and tending to the large, Shire horse size of shoe). Although somewhat corroded these are most likely post-Medieval in date, but provide on-site evidence of metalworking and or smithing.
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Tr. 1: Several fragments from a heavily corroded and concreted spur c. 75mm wide, probably late 16th to 17th century in date, weighing 101g.
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<151> : Several pieces of door furniture, including a large hinge-strap with leaf-shaped terminal c. 205mm long and weighing 196g; basal or top door pivot c. 94mm long, with right-angle staple arrangement weighing 60g; five nail fragments, the largest weighing 25g and with a dome-shaped head and square cross-sectioned shaft.
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T: Broken and very poorly preserved possible snaffle or bridle bit. The central bar is largely intact, but missing one end and associated loop (surviving length c. 120mm). The other loop is broken; weight 123g. Undated.
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K: Two refitting fragments from a cast-iron object with a central perforation. Heavily concreted and poorly preserved these weigh 227g with the perforation c. 13.6mm in diameter. Probably from an architectural feature, such as a fireplace, these are post- Medieval in origin.
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Tr. 1: Single copper alloy lace chape or aiglet similar to <134> above; length 21.44mm.
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<137>: Large copper alloy jetton or token of similar date and use to <136>; Groat size, c. 30.5mm in diameter and weighing 2g, possibly of French origin and probably 17th century in date. The inscription is illegible and would benefit from further cleaning and conservation.
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<136>: Badly damaged copper alloy Nuremburg jetton, c. 55% surviving; torn along one side and in poor condition, but most likely a Hanns Krauwinckle type. These are very common on late 16th to early 17th century sites. Probably used as a counting or exchequer token or for gaming (see Egan 2005: 172 for a full discussion of these objects). Diameter 25mm, weigh 3g.
Part of Archaeological Finds
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.
Part of Archaeological Finds
<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.
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Trench 2 MNI 39:
Bowls (MNI 20)
2 type 4 c.1600-40
1 type 5 c.1640-60
6 type 6 c.1660-80
4 type 9 c.1680-1710
3 type 10 c.1700-40
3 type 12 c.1730-80
1 type 23 bowl c.1760-1800 with initials RW on sides of spur. No obvious local source.
Heels/spurs (MNI 19)
3 heels with initials IK on side. Produced by James Kuquit of Cambridge, active c.1713-50.
1 heel with initials IK on side and stamped crown mark in relief on base. Produced by James Kuquit of Cambridge, active c.1713-50.
1 heel with initials on side and stamped eight spoked wheel mark on base
1 heel with stamped five petalled Tudor rose mark on base (see above)
1 heel with incuse letter C on base. This is paralleled by two finds from the St. John’s Triangle site (Cessford in Newman 2008). These were dated to c.1730-80 and the mark could potentially relate to John Carter, active in Cambridge c.1703-26.
1 heel with initials WP on sides and unclear I stamped symbol on base, bowl form c.1700+. Possibly William Phipos of Cambridge, who died in 1740.
1 heel with initials PW on sides, bowl form c.1700+. No obvious local source, the initials PW have been found in the Cambridge area before dated c.1760-80 and a London origin was suggested (Flood 1976, 46)
10 plain heels/spurs plus large bowl fragments
Decorated stem
1 stem with impressed curvilinear decoration
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Part of Archaeological Finds
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.
Part of Archaeological Finds
A total of 359 sherds (7265g) were recovered from unstratified deposits encountered in Trenches 1 and 2. This represents 57.3% of the total assemblage by count, and 57.4% by weight. As Table 2 demonstrates, a very similar range of fabrics are represented as were recovered from the stratified deposits discussed above. No vessels of inherent significance were identified.
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Trench 1 MNI 20:
Bowls (MNI 10)
1 type 4 c.1600-40
2 type 9 c.1680-1710
1 type 10 c.1700-40
1 type 12 c.1730-80
1 type 10-12 c.1700-80 with initials IK on sides of heel and stamped crown mark in relief on the base of the heel. Produced by James Kuquit of Cambridge, active c.1713- 50.
1 type 14 c.1820-40
1 fragment c.1680+
1 fragment c.1700+
1 fragment c.1700+ with initials WJ on sides. Does not relate to any known Cambridge makers, one possibility is William Jackson of Wisbech active c.1802-15 as there is some other evidence for occasional items from Wisbech reaching Cambridge.
Heels/spurs (MNI 10)
1 heel probably with initials IK on side. Produced by James Kuquit of Cambridge, active c.1713-50.
1 heel with stamped five petalled Tudor rose mark on base. This mark is paralleled on pipes from London dated c.1610-40
1 heel with initials WP on sides. Possibly William Phipos of Cambridge, who died in 1740.
7 plain heels/spurs
Stems
1 curving stem with impressed mark C•Crop within box on side and with unclear text within box on other side, possibly incorporating LONDON. Produced by Charles Crop or Charles Crop & Sons of London active from 1856 onwards (Oswald 1975, 133). As the stem is curved this was probably one of the rather ornate high quality
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A total of 359 sherds (7265g) were recovered from unstratified deposits encountered in Trenches 1 and 2. This represents 57.3% of the total assemblage by count, and 57.4% by weight. As Table 2 demonstrates, a very similar range of fabrics are represented as were recovered from the stratified deposits discussed above. No vessels of inherent significance were identified.
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Fireplace: a small-scale vaulting rib, with hollow chamfer.
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Chapel Doorway: a plain chamfered doorjamb, with rebate for door.
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Chapel Doorway: the corner of a sloping windowsill?
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Chapel Doorway: a capital with stiff leaf decoration (only three stems survive).
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Chapel Doorway: a plain chamfered vault rib.
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Fireplace: a small-scale vaulting rib, with hollow chamfer.