Archaeologists uncover evidence of Roman and Iron Age occupation at site near Blackpool

Thursday, 21 September 2023 12:48

A team of archaeologists have uncovered evidence of Roman and Iron Age occupation at site near Blackpool.

Oxford Archaeology said the site at Bourne Hill in Thornton-Cleveleys has evidence of both an Iron Age settlement and Roman occupation.

The company has been commissioned to carry out a excavation at the site, which has been earmarked for a 158 property housing development.

The OA team, founf evidence of roundhouses and their ditches from the Iron Age, pottery and other objects they believe to be from the Roman period.

"Unlike other Iron Age sites in Lancashire we have found ceramics and pottery in Bourne Hill," said Paul Dunn from Oxford Archaeology.

"It is a significant site because there of signs of a long occupation from the Iron Age to Roman Britain."

It’s believed that during this period, Lancashire was wet with marshland and settlements therefore ended to be on a hill.

A spokesperson for Wyre Council, said: "Ecclestone Homes have applied for planning permission to develop 158 homes on the site at Bourne Hill in Thornton.

"Planning permission is soon to be granted subject to a number of conditions. One of those is to conduct an archaeological survey and this is currently under way.

"So far, excavation works completed by a team of archaeologists from Oxford Archaeology North (OAN) has revealed findings of interest. Following the completion of the fieldwork on the site, OAN will produce a post-excavation assessment report."