Archaeologists have un-earthed extensive Iron Age remains during excavation work at the planned site of Hitachi’s high-speed rail factory in Newton Aycliffe.
Wardell Armstrong Archaeology are investigating a significant Iron Age settlement as well as medieval open field systems and the remains of a 17th century and farmstead.
“The work is revealing a well-preserved prehistoric landscape,” said Frank Giecco, lead archaeologist “It includes a major boundary ditch, two round-house settlements with field systems, and an enclosure dating back to the first millennium BC.
“We knew there was a strong probability of finding the remains of late Iron Age and Romano-British farmsteads at the site. Our investigations should allow us to document life at Aycliffe as it was over a 3000 year period, and make sure that archaeological finds are professionally identified and recorded.”
There is also some early evidence of earlier Bronze Age activity at the site. The team have already found a series of pits and stone tools, including a flint arrow head. Archaeological remains dating to the early Bronze Age are quite rare so this is a potentially significant find.
Prior to construction of the factory the archaeological remains within the development site require complete excavation and recording.
Wardell Armstrong have worked to ensure that Hitachi, who have funded the archaeological excavations, face no delays to their construction timetable caused by the presence of archaeological remains and from the outset of the project have successfully balanced the commercial needs of their client with the requirement to excavate and record the archaeological remains.
The site at Aycliffe is therefore significant not only for the important Hitachi development but also for revealing human activity of one kind or another on this spot since remote prehistoric times right through to the modern 21st century.
