Prehistoric artefacts found near Abingdon thought to be from ancestors of Neanderthals
Archaeologists made the discovery whilst helping prepare a major dual carriageway for roadworks
Archaeologists have dug up prehistoric artifacts near Abingdon that are thought to be from ancestors of the Neanderthals, which they found whilst helping prepare for roadworks on the A34.
The project at the Lodge Hill junction on the A34 has found deeply buried flint tools and a hand axe, dating back to the Middle Pleistocene period and suggesting early human life from half a million years ago.
Archaeologists dug 16 trial trenches, 12 test pits and two boreholes as part of a planning condition to explore any potential archaeological remains and any ancient sediments that would be affected by the new interchange.
Carl Champness, Project Manager for Oxford Archaeology said: “The reason why the hand-axe is so significant is because you get very little evidence of this type of activity and you have to look in very specific locations, and the great news is that we’ve managed to find a hand-axe which is great.
“To find a hand-axe is very rare. Although we were doing the work to find hand axes, it’s very nice to find it when you’re actually looking for it as much of the time we don’t find a thing, and it’s very nice to be so close to home in Oxfordshire.
Oxford Archaeology are hoping to find further prehistoric artifacts by being able to excavate further.
Mr Champness said: “It’s all very exciting because we’re hoping to do additional work as the project progresses so the discovery of a hand-axe in very small test pits is a very interesting find.”
Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Development Strategy, said: “Archaeological investigations like this are an important part of the process of delivering construction schemes. They help us identify and understand past features and residents of the area and record them for future generations.