PCA Cambridge conducted an archaeological excavation at land to the rear of the Three Kings public which were undertaken prior to the construction of a new four-bedroom house and the reconfiguration of the access and car parking for the pub and house.

Previous archaeological investigation revealed early Saxon burials and graves in a small excavation area. As such, the site was set aside for use as a car park in order to preserve any remaining inhumations in situ. However, the remaining 200m²  of the site, where the house and reconfiguration of the car park were due to be located, remained to be investigated.

Due to the level of expected archaeology likely to be present, no evaluation was conducted prior to the excavation. Instead, a 14-ton 360° excavator with a toothless bucket was used to strip away the topsoil and subsoil to the top of the natural substrate, to expose the archaeological deposits cut into it. The most significant period of activity relates to an early Saxon cemetery, which appears to be a continuation of the cemetery identified during the works in 1989 and 1990. A total of eight graves were uncovered, containing nine inhumations, towards the north-east corner of the excavation area. In addition, human skeletal remains were observed in four charnel pits, four ditches, thirteen pits and the overlying subsoil deposits on the site, suggestive of redistribution, disturbance and truncation of graves in the site following the interment of the early Saxon burials.

Grave goods recovered from five of the eight graves were varied reflect the relatively high status of the people interred. Assemblages of dress accessories including wrist-clasps, brooches, a girdle-hanger and beads, as well as a decorated bone comb were accompanied by military items (including a shield boss, shield fittings and a spearhead).