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 National Highways’ A46 Newark Bypass scheme.
The scheme, which was confirmed in the Government’s third Road Investment Strategy (RIS3) in March, aims to improve congestion at key junctions along the A46 by widening sections of the carriageway, creating a flyover, and building a bridge over the A1.
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, which potentially date back to 6000 BC.
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, German for ‘sunken-floored building’, was typical of Anglo-Saxon settlements but is a rare find in Nottinghamshire.
In a field south-west of Kelham village, various features were discovered dating from the Mesolithic period to the post-Medieval period. Items included a rectangular Roman enclosure, the foundations of a farmhouse, and a Roman well.
Naziya Sheikh, National Highways project manager for the A46 Newark scheme, said:
“The experts have done an amazing job uncovering these important pieces of history that have unknowingly remained buried under Newark until now. We’re excited to finally be able to share the details with residents in the town and beyond as part of our early pre-construction work on the A46 scheme.
“We take great care to record and safeguard the country’s heritage that can be uncovered by our projects. Archaeology belongs to the communities we serve, and by working alongside a team of archaeologists, we are delighted to be able to conserve and protect these incredible finds for future generations.”
Other items discovered during the digs included 163 pieces of ceramic pottery, many of which were glazed and show clear decorations dating from the 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, as well as items dating to the English Civil War in 1642, were also uncovered.
Sean Tiffin, from Archaeological Management Solutions (AMS), which carried out the dig on behalf of National Highways, said:
“Our excavations uncovered fascinating insights into life in this corner of Nottinghamshire during the prehistoric, Roman, and Anglo-Saxon periods, and even up to the present day.
“The results will greatly help increase our understanding of the rich history of the area, shedding new light and insights on previously unknown settlements.”
Details of the findings have now been published online, along with photos and videos of the dig and the items uncovered. It is hoped some of the artefacts and findings will go on public display in Newark, but details of this will be confirmed at a later date.
The A46 Newark Bypass scheme, which will improve a key trans-Midlands trade corridor linking to the Humber ports, will be a major project to ease congestion at crucial junctions. Work will include:
• Widening four miles of single carriageway in both directions between the Farndon and Winthorpe roundabouts near Newark-on-Trent.
• Creating a flyover for the A46 at the Cattle Market roundabout.
• Building a new bridge over the A1.
• Enlarging the Winthorpe roundabout to connect the new link road.
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 the delivery of the scheme in the summer.
