16070/2GAZETTE & HERALD: An ancient piece of Saxon pottery over a thousand years of age, was uncovered behind a house in the Causeway and further develops the picture of Chippenham's Saxon past.

Chippenham Museum and Heritage Centre manager Mike Stone discovered the pottery piece behind 2 The Causeway, where building work is taking place.

He visited the site last week and examined trenches cut into the ground for service pipes.

"They had taken off the natural sandy clay soil from the top and I saw the rain had washed all the pottery clean on the surface I picked up about seven pieces."

After cleaning, Mr Stone knew what a significant find he held in his hand because of the characteristic individual stamps in the shape of a stylised rosette.

"This dates it back to mid to late Saxon times probably the eighth to the 10th centuries," he said.

"It was a well known way of decorating Saxon pottery, and we've found it at Cricklade, Cirencester, Bath and Winchester."

The other six pieces date back to the 12th and 13th centuries. He also discovered a huge pit from the 18th century full of broken plates, cups and clay pipes on the site.

The Saxon pottery is a significant find because while there is documentary evidence that the Saxons lived in the town, there has not been a great deal of material evidence but bit by bit this is changing.

The piece of pottery will soon be on display at the Heritage Centre.