2000 Year Old Settlement Just off Bath Road

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Archaeologists from Worcestershire County Council are currently excavating an Iron Age and Roman site off Bath Road. The excavation is being undertaken on behalf of Persimmon Homes who are constructing houses, which should be available from early 2007.

A field evaluation identified the historic site, which seems well preserved. The former settlement was enclosed with ditches, which contain abundant evidence of industrial activity (probably smithing). The site is situated on the top of a steep slope to the River Severn and the archaeologists believe raw materials were being transported along the river. These raw materials include iron ore (perhaps from the Forest of Dean) and coal (perhaps from north Worcestershire).

The site was formerly used for petrol storage and was built during the early years of World War II. It comprises six large tanks partially covered with grassed earth, which acted as camouflage against air attack. A photographic record has been prepared before these huge structures were removed.

Please note the site is currently a building site and for reasons of safety there can be no public access.

Simon Woodiwiss, Principal Field Archaeologist.

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