Iron Age finds unearthed at reservoir construction site

Construction of a new reservoir by Wessex Water at Camp Hill as part of its £230 million water supply grid scheme has unearthed the remains of an Iron Age settlement.

Among the finds on the site near Salisbury was this skeleton 
of a woman [Credit: Wessex Water]

Wessex Water said it expected to find archaeological remains on the site near Salisbury so commissioned AC Archaeology to dig the area.  A large Iron Age settlement dating from at least 50BC was uncovered, including Roman pots, military spears, and the skeleton of a woman.

Wessex Water is constructing a new reservoir at Camp Hill adjacent to the existing one already in the location to help meet future demands of water supply over the next 25 years without having to develop new resources.

Camp Hill is one of ten new or upgraded major sites that make up the trunkmain, allowing Wessex Water to move water from areas of surplus to areas of potential deficit.

Construction started on the supply grid in 2010 and is due for completion in 2018 Wessex Water said.

Wessex Water’s environmental scientist, Ollie Williams said: “The area that Camp Hill is in is very archaeologically sensitive, with sites such as Stonehenge and Old Sarum, just down the road.”

“Throughout the designing and construction of the water supply grid scheme, we have been careful to protect the local environment and conserve the local history along the way.”

Wessex Water said once all the findings had been processed and a report published a joint exhibition with the Earl of Pembroke will be held at Wilton House for visitors.

Author: Lucinda Dann | Source: Utility Week [December 24, 2014]