Archaeological Investigations at Trinity College Gateway, Cambridge

On the 30/8/91 a 'telephone booth-sized' (0.80 x 1.55m) sondage was excavated in the northern front lawn of Trinity College, Cambridge (TL 44815/58665). This excavation anticipated the construction of a junction box relating to the laying of the University's Granta fibre optics network. While the construction pit only had to be approximately 1.00m deep, it was decided to take this opportunity to go deeper; the natural terrace gravels were reached at a depth of 1.30m (7.65 - .80m OD). The fact that sub-soil was encountered at such a relatively high level, and there was so little made-ground, came as quite a surprise. Especially so, given that the sondage fell within/upon a slight E-W orientated bank which borders the north side of the College's forecourt. The reader should bear in mind that this was a hurried rescue excavation - a 'keyhole' sondage. Its aim was to get a broad sense of the stratigraphic sequence in this area, not to work out i n any detail the minutia of plan relationship