TWENTY-SIX skeletons dating back 3,000 years have been uncovered near Wantage.
A multi-million pound Thames Water project to protect the future of a rare Oxfordshire chalk stream revealed some fascinating items.
An ancient settlement was found containing an array of historic artefacts while preparing to lay new water pipes which will relieve pressure on the precious Letcombe Brook.
Among the important finds were 26 human skeletons believed to be from the Iron Age and Roman periods, and some likely to have been involved in ritual burials, along with evidence of dwellings, animal carcases and household items including pottery, cutting implements and a decorative comb.
Cotswold Archaeology has now carefully removed the items for forensic examination, allowing Thames Water to start laying the six kilometre pipe which, following consultation with residents, will supply nearby villages with water taken from groundwater boreholes near the River Thames and not Letcombe Brook.
Chris Rochfort, Thames Water environmental manager, said: “We’ve found significant historical items on many previous upgrade projects but this is one of our biggest and most exciting yet.
The archaeological findings have already been shared with residents at events in Letcombe Bassett and Letcombe Regis village halls.