Long-lost ancient village with mysterious past unearthed amid wind farm dig: ‘Exciting discovery’

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Archaeologists recently uncovered the remains of along-lost medieval village,thanks to pre-construction excavations for an offshore wind farm project.

On Dec.9, Wessex Archaeology announced its team had discovered a previously unknown Anglo-Saxon settlement near Friston, a modern village in East Suffolk, England. 

The digs were carried out in conjunction with the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA).The Anglo-Saxon settlement was a “small community living in wooden longhouses,” according to officials. 

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“These weren’t just living spaces … [They] also acted as social hubs, with a centralhearth for cookingand keeping warm,” the press release said.

“Although the wooden buildings have long rotted away, the remains of post holes show they were substantial structures, up to 19 meters [62 feet] long by 6 meters [20 feet] wide.”

Archaeologists working at site next to hand holding artifact

Archaeologists in eastern England uncovered evidence of a previously unknown Anglo-Saxon settlement during wind farm construction work.(MOLA-Wessex Archaeology)

Pictures from the excavation show archaeologists holding some of theancient artifactsthat were uncovered, including flint tools and pottery fragments.

Some of the finds date before the Anglo-Saxons, including an arrowhead made between 4,000 and 6,000 years ago.

“Designed to coverlong distances for hunting, [the arrowhead’s] sharpened edges and point are incredibly fragile and usually break in the ground, making this a rare find,” Wessex Archaeology said.

Man holding fragile Stone Age arrowhead

A rare arrowhead dating back between 4,000 and 6,000 years was uncovered during the dig.(MOLA-Wessex Archaeology)

“An exciting discovery for the team once the settlement began to emerge was that a modern public right of way is perfectly aligned with theearly medieval buildings, suggesting the footpath has been in use since the Anglo-Saxon period — and possibly before,” Ginnever added.

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