ARCHAEOLOGICAL experts have found an amazing array of artefacts, including a possible burial site, in the latest dig just outside Alcester.
The Chronicle reported earlier this month how the Environment Agency had called in a specialised team of inspectors from the Warwickshire Museum after a find at the site where flood defences were due to be installed.
The team has released its findings which include a likely Roman cemetery with the remains of one adult female and an adolescent, which appear to have been buried in coffins.
Site inspector Peter Thompson, of Warwickshire Museum, said: "A large part of the site was probably used for various industrial activities.
"Large quantities of metalworking slag show one activity may have been iron working."
The team also uncovered a probable Roman stone-lined kiln which could have been used as an oven rather than for pottery firing or smelting.
A well was also found in the southern corner of site. It was stone-lined and at least 2m deep.
Mr Thompson said: "It may have provided a good water supply for industrial processes rather than for domestic use.
"The fills of the well included Roman pottery, a leather sandal and a wooden comb."
A second deep pit, possibly also originally a well, contained two complete samian vessels and parts of at least two other leather sandals or shoes.
Other major finds include gravel surfaces of a Roman road with an associated drainage ditch.
Further compact gravel surfaces next to the road may have been a yard.
Several postholes cutting the road may have been part of a later timber structure.
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