The remains of seven ancient people, a Roman well and two probable Anglo-Saxon houses are some of the amazing finds that have been discovered by archaeologists during early, pre-construction investigations around the A46 Newark Bypass scheme.
A team of 30 archaeologists carefully excavated five fields in Newark last year, covering over 23 acres (9.63 hectares) over 22 weeks to reveal the fascinating finds that potentially date back to 6000BC.
A burial site, encompassing the remains of seven individuals, was discovered in one field close to the A46. These burials are provisionally dated to the Iron Age, Roman or Anglo-Saxon periods. Ongoing scientific post-excavation analysis of these items is expected to refine and more precisely determine their chronology.
The remnants of an Anglo-Saxon house, known as a grubenhaus, were also found within the same area. A grubenhaus is a German word for ‘sunken-floored building’ and was typical of Anglo-Saxon settlements but would have been rare to find in Nottinghamshire.
In a field south-west of Kelham village, various features were discovered dating from the Mesolithic period to post-Medieval. Items included a rectangular Roman enclosure, foundations of a farmhouse and a Roman well.
Other items discovered during the digs included 163 pieces of ceramic pottery, many of which were glazed and show clear decorations dating from Roman and Iron Age periods. Several prehistoric finds such as flint arrowheads and a saddle quern used to grind flour to make bread in the Neolithic period and items dating to the English Civil War in 1642 were also uncovered.
Kerri McGarrigle, Engagement Manager, said: “We’re excited to share these remarkable discoveries from the A46 scheme, which offer new insights into the town’s rich history. By working with archaeologists, we’re helping protect and preserve this heritage for future generations and we look forward to being able to display some of these finds in the community in the near future.”
The Government confirmed its commitment to this scheme in its third Road Investment Strategy (RIS3) published in March and National Highways plans to set out more information on its delivery of the scheme in the summer.