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A major excavation, undertaken in advance of the East Anglia TWO and ONE North developments by ScottishPower Renewables, has uncovered 6,000 years of human activity within an East Anglian landscape, including a previously unknown Anglo-Saxon settlement.
The initiative represents the combined efforts of MOLA and Wessex Archaeology, who are working over an area of more than 34ha (84 acres). This work has already revealed diverse discoveries, including a complete flint arrowhead and axe head, both dating to the Neolithic, as well as medieval kilns on the coast near Sizewell, which were probably used to produce ceramics or lime.
A highlight of the project to-date, however, emerged near Friston. There, the team uncovered the remains of a previously undocumented Anglo-Saxon village, including the footprints of large, wooden longhouses measuring 19m (60ft) long and 6m (20ft) wide (above). These substantial structures each had a central hearth, where members of the early medieval community may have come together to cook and keep warm. While post-excavation analysis is ongoing, it appears that the village was probably abandoned sometime before the 14th century – but its buildings all appear to have been aligned along a footpath that is still used today, suggesting that this route has existed since the early medieval period, and possibly before that.
Matthew Ginnever, Senior Project Manager at MOLA-Wessex Archaeology, said: ‘The archaeological programme is already proving there is much to uncover about the history of East Anglia and its past populations. The discovery of this lost settlement is very exciting. To-date we have identified over 20 potential structures including several that display the characteristics of Late Saxon longhouses. Pottery spot dates suggest that the village was established sometime in the 9th century, and we hope that future assessment and analysis of the finds will shed light on its development and eventual abandonment.’
Text: Kathryn Krakowka / Image: MOLA-Wessex Archaeology
