THE routine two-week investigation by students from the University of Sheffield of an Iron Age site at Cannings Cross, last excavated by celebrated archaeologist Maud Cunnington in 1911, has proved surprising.
Miss Cunnington's investigations established the site as of the greatest importance in defining when the Iron Age began in Britain, the site dating from about 700BC.
The students visited the site to investigate the impact that early forms of excavation and modern farming practices have on known archaeological sites.
John Barrett and David McOmish of English Heritage said: "The results were startling. An early Iron Age deposit survived intact, with an excellent accumulation of cultural deposits.
A number of cut features, including pits and postholes, were uncovered.
"This two-week excavation has confounded our views of site survival in heavily cultivated environments."
Further investigations in the immediate area have discovered another midden site less than a kilometre away, which, it is hoped, will provide more information about the transition between the Bronze Age and the Iron Age.
A talk on the excavation will be given at 7.30pm in All Cannings village hall tonight.
All are welcome.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article