Bronze Age settlement discovered in Chichester

Archaeologists excavating land to the north-west of Chichester over the last few weeks have made the exciting discovery. Investigations have revealed a Bronze Age enclosure which dates to circa 1,500 to 1,000BC, with features that contained large sherds of well preserved pottery. Equally significant is the unexpected discovery of a previously unconfirmed section of the Chichester Entrenchments – a series of huge, earthworks which were constructed around the city from the later Iron Age, circa 100BC onwards. Jon Sygrave, project manager for Archaeology South-East (UCL), said: “We’ve uncovered a section of the Chichester Entrenchments, which probably infilled during the mid Roman period. “The section we found is about 9m wide and 2.5m deep and would have had an associated huge earth bank. “The entrenchments show that Chichester was a significant area during the Iron Age over 2,000 years ago, before the Romans settled there.” The boundary of the Bronze Age enclosure is shown in this aerial photograph as the two dark, perpendicular lines coming down from the top of the 3,500sqm excavation site. The thick vertical line shows the previously unconfirmed section of the Chichester Entrenchments. The archaeological investigations have been undertaken by Archaeology South-East, UCL, on behalf of MGJV and Southern Water ahead of the proposed installation of a new main sewer. A 1,600-home development is planned nearby, with 750 homes already approved. Mr Sygrave added: “As archaeologists we don’t get the chance to investigate the entrenchments very often, as most known sections are Scheduled Ancient Monuments and protected under law. “This was a previously unknown section so it’s an important find in the history of Chichester. “We’ve only just finished on the site and we’ve made quite a lot of interesting pottery finds which should provide good dating evidence. “Once we’ve had the chance to clean and study them we’ll know more.” Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live. Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on. 1) Make our website your homepage at www.chichester.co.uk/ 2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ChichesterObserver 3) Follow us on Twitter @Chiobserver 4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here. And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out! The Chichester Observer - always the first with your local news. Be part of it.