Ancient Settlement Uncovered Beneath Primary School Playing Field

Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of an Iron Age settlement beneath a playing field at Ridgeway Primary Academy in Market Harborough.

A team from the University of Leicester and the Oadby and Wigston Field Workers carried out excavations at the site last weekend after a geophysical survey suggested the land had once been home to an ancient settlement.

Around 20 professional and volunteer archaeologists spenttwo days digging a five-metre trench and several smaller test pits, targeting an enclosure ditch identified in the survey.

The team discovered animal bones, fragments of Iron Age pottery and flint tools dating back more than 2,000 years.

Jennifer Browning from the University of Leicester Archaeological Services said the findings were an important step in understanding how the land was used in the past.

She said: “We’re delighted to say we reached the bottom of the ditch and found lots of items that help show the history of the land – including an array of animal bones, fragments of Iron Age pottery and flint tools.

“All of this helps us to create a picture of how people were using the land over 2,000 years ago.”

Archaeologists say settlement ditches were often used both as defensive barriers and as places where rubbish, broken pottery, animal remains and old tools were discarded.

Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of an Iron Age settlement beneath a playing field at Ridgeway Primary Academy

The Ridgeway ditch was found around 90cm below the current ground level, but experts believe it would originally have been a much larger structure with a bank built from the excavated soil.

The discovery adds to existing evidence of ancient settlements in the area. Previous archaeological work has found Iron Age sites beneath what is now Pochin Drive and Centenary Close, while Roman remains have been discovered in gardens around Ridgeway and Great Bowden Road.

However, this is the first time archaeological evidence has been found at Ridgeway Primary Academy.

The discoveries are now being cleaned and catalogued, while soil samples will be examined for possible evidence of plant and animal remains from thousands of years ago.

Bob Gale, Chair of the Oadby and Wigston Field Workers, said the discovery had been a “special” moment.

He said: “Seeing the dark marks of the enclosure ditch and the circles of the houses was really exciting.”

The team also shared their findings with pupils at the school, explaining what had been discovered beneath their football pitches and running track.

Assistant Headteacher Lucy Millington said around 250 people visited the school during the dig weekend, with pupils later given the chance to see the excavation and handle some of the finds.

She said: “We have had the most incredible weekend. It has been a genuinely wonderful experience and one they’ll never forget.”

The dig formed part of the opening events for the Festival of Archaeology, which is taking place across Leicestershire throughout July.