New Court, Trinity College, Cambridge An Archaeological Investigation

Following on from two earlier phases of watching brief, eleven trenches were investigated within the New Court of Trinity College, Cambridge. A borehole survey was also undertaken in relation to a former canalised branch of the Cam, which now lies sealed beneath the central court. One trench in particular encountered a well-preserved archaeological sequence relating to Flaxhythe; a landing stage associated with Cambridge's important medieval waterfront district. Here, during the 12th century a channel measuring over 2m in width was established. This probably acted as leat into which shallowdrafted boats could be drawn. By the end of the 13th century the channel went out of use and was backfilled. Then, in the early 14th century, a metalled laneway flanked by two gullies was established, directly overlying the former channel. This latter feature is likely to have been associated with Garret Hostel, which was established c. 1317-29, and probably represents a resumption of the earlier pattern of waterfront-related activity. During the 15th century, however, the laneway itself went out of use and was sealed beneath an extensive horticultural deposit. Also encountered at the site were reused masonry footings associated with two 17th-century buildings; these were ancillary structures constructed by Trinity College, which were demolished when New Court was constructed in 1823-25