Colchester Archaeological Trust

CAT Report 1684: summary

Archaeological excavation on land north of 35-40 Hanover Place, Abbey Lane, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB10 1DG: May 2021
by Laura Pooley (with contributions from Dr Matthew Loughton and Alec Wade)

Date report completed: 07/2021
Location: 35-40 Hanover Place, Abbey Lane, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB10 1DG
Map reference(s): TL 5340 3835 (centre)
File size: 5490 kb
Project type: Excavation
Significance of the results:
Keywords: Hanover Place Abbey Lane Saffron Walden

Summary. An archaeological excavation was carried out on land north of 35-40 Hanover Place, Abbey Lane, Saffron Walden, Essex in advance of groundworks for the construction of a new dwelling. Located between the Audley End Estate and a small stream, archaeological evaluation on the site in 2001 had previously revealed one side of a large post-medieval ditch along with three postholes, two pits and two gullies/ditches which produced material of 17th/18th century date.

One of the aims of the current project was to excavate a complete section across the width of the large post-medieval ditch identified in 2001. Excavation at the site has, however, proved that the ditch is in fact a series of infill layers, c 2m thick, dating from the late 17th to the 18th centuries. To the west of the projected edge of these infill layers was another possible ditch feature, however this feature could potentially also be a soil layer within the infill.

Modern pits, postholes and service trenches were the only other features present on the site.