A collection of ancient settlements has been discovered near Abberton Reservoir in Essex, by archaeologists digging in advance of a 19.5km pipeline being built. The artefacts found date back a stunning 3,000 years, include coins, and pottery from both the Iron and Bronze Ages.
The team from Oxford Archaeology have also encountered evidence of farmsteads and settlements, including large rectangular enclosures evidenced by clear crop marks.
One coin discovered is believed to represent the Roman Emperor Valentinian I, who was in charge from 364 to 375 AD, whilst there is also evidence of farmsteads and settlements, as well as large deposits of oyster shell and industrial residue. All findings have been processed, photographed, and documented before the construction of the pipeline continues.
Archaeologists have been examining the history of the pipeline’s path for over two years, and Colchester City Council and the Essex County Council are collaborating with archaeological research.
Essex and Suffolk Water are constructing the pipeline from Layer-de-la-Haye near Maldon, to Langford, carrying 20 million litres of water per day to improve the supply to the 370,000 water users in the area
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