The CHET brief required a programme of linear trial trenching to sample the site ahead of the erection of nine dwellings and associated infrastructure at 43 The Fold, Coates, Cambridgeshire. This was achieved by excavating a four 30.00m x 1.80m trenches, one 20.00m x 1.80m trench and one 10.00m x 1.80m trenches. Despite the potential, no archaeological features were encountered in the trenches. Despite the lack of features, it seems clear from the deposit model encountered that the site was on the periphery of the habitable area of fen island that the main settlement of Coates sits non. Based on the cartographic evidence it appears that this land remained agricultural from the draining of the fens in the post medieval period until the 19th century where Fold House was constructed on the site. However, this was subsequently demolished before the current farmyard was built. The evaluation was successful in characterizing the site and its placement in the wider historic environment.
Alice Schute (Wed,) studied this question.