Highway Dig Uncovers Possible Prehistoric Settlement, Roman-Era Artifacts, Potential Early Medieval Structure

A highway dig ahead of road enhancement works across Northern England has led to the discovery of archaeological remains from different historical periods.

Highway Dig

The dig is taking place along the major A66 road, which runs from west to east throughout the region. It connects North Yorkshire and Cumbria counties. In part, A66 follows an ancient Roman road's course from Scotch Corner all the way to Penrith. However, the history of such a roadway is much longer, as it has been in use for roughly 10,000 years.

Stephen Rowland, the project manager from Oxford Cotswold Archaeology, notes that the route that the modern A66 follows was ancient even when it was formalized by the Romans almost 2,000 years ago with a road of their own.

He notes that crucial river and road junctions and crossings still have prehistoric monuments, medieval castles, and Roman forts to mark them. Moreover, communities have been supported by the fertile valley since the last Ice Age ended.

The highway dig was conducted before upgrade efforts, which come as part of the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine Project, for road widening.

Rowland notes that they are half-way through their excavations of trial trenches within the proposed project's footprint. More work needs to be done and findings need to be made as they try to delve more into the 10,000-year story of human history along one of the most significant routeways in Northern England.

Steward Jones, the director of the National Highways A66 Northern Trans-Pennine Project, explains excitement regarding the findings from the project, as they could offer a distinct window towards Cumbria's ancient history.

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Excavation Findings

As one half of #OCAArchTeam, we're up in Cumbria with @OATweet, uncovering Cumbrian history dating back 6,000 years! The #A66 project covers a routeway that's been in use for nearly 10,000 years, so we're excited but not surprised. We're only halfway through the trenching, and… pic.twitter.com/Km925EFaBC
— Cotswold Archaeology (@CotswoldArch) March 11, 2024

Archaeologists were able to uncover several finds in the past months. Some of these discoveries data back to roughly 6,000 years ago. Findings include ancient waterways that shed light on the landscape shaping done by prehistoric Cumbrians as well as buried peat layers.

As for excavation highlights, these include a possible early medieval building, a potential prehistoric settlement, and some artifacts from the Roman era.

The archaeologists were able to find a settlement's remains that date back to B.C. 1600 to 1200, or the Late Neolithic or Middle Bronze Age. The settlement was observed to have various features, such as gullies, pits, ditches, and postholes.

Several pottery fragments and stone tools were also uncovered at the site.

In a different area, the specialists were able to find a possible early medieval grubenhaus, which is a structure that is usually constructed above a huge rectangular pit, with odd dimensions.

They were also able to uncover evidence of Roman farmsteads and tiny villages. These were full of different artifacts, including luxurious tableware fragments from modern-day France as well as a broach of copper alloy.

Jones explains that such discoveries would significantly contribute to understanding regarding how prehistoric people adapted to environmental conditions that were changing. Jones also expresses looking forward to more insights as the project goes on.