Bronze Age discovery during Oxfordshire road works

The well-preserved wooden well was unearthed during archaeological excavations at the site of Oxfordshire County Council's project to construct the south-westerly section of the Benson Relief Road.

The excavation was undertaken by Oxford Archaeology on behalf of the council to ensure any archaeological finds are recorded in line with planning permission.

John Boothroyd, senior project manager at Oxford Archaeology, detailed the discovery: "When investigating what appeared to be a standard pit for the site, the archaeological team started exposing the remains of a preserved wooden post driven vertically into the ground.

"Further excavation revealed that these posts formed the uprights of a wattle structure that lined the edge of the pit.

"Preservation of wooden structures from this period is rare and the remains have survived all this time, due to being buried in waterlogged ground.

"Despite the extremely challenging conditions, the team were able to expose and fully record the well in the ground.

"The specialist soil samples that were collected will also help establish what the surrounding landscape would have been like, and the intensity to which it was settled, when the well was actively being used."

After the well was digitally recorded, experts from Oxford Archaeology delicately dismantled it by hand for removal.

The well was still well-preserved (Image: Oxford Achaeology)

Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for infrastructure and development strategy, said: "This find gives fantastic insight into the area’s past land use.

"It is thought the well may have been used for agricultural irrigation purposes for settlements nearby.

"Archaeological surveys like this are an important part of the process of delivering construction schemes.

"They help us identify and understand past residents of the area and record them for future generations.

"Other evidence of Bronze Age activity has previously been identified in and around Benson and as far as Wallingford.

"The excavations undertaken as part of the Benson Relief Road help to further our understanding of this rich landscape and demonstrate how widespread the activity was."

A sample of the preserved wood was sent for further specialist recording to identify the type of wood used and to search for evidence of the tools used to cut and shape the wood.

Additional finds on the site included pieces of struck flint, animal bone, and pottery used for storage and waste.

The wood and the other artefacts will be stored with the Oxfordshire Museum Service, with a full report of the excavation to be released in due course.