Water works uncover Iron Age skeletons

Human skeletons from almost 3,000 years ago have been found by a water company working to protect a rare chalk stream.

A £14.5 million Thames Water project to ease pressure on a stream in Oxfordshire has led to the discoveries believed to be from the Iron Age and Roman periods.

An ancient settlement was found containing an array of historic artefacts while preparing to lay new water pipes. Among the finds were 26 human skeletons, and some likely to have been involved in ritual burials, along with evidence of dwellings, animal carcasses and household items including pottery, cutting implements and a decorative comb.

Cotswold Archaeology has removed the items for forensic examination, allowing Thames Water to start laying the six-kilometre pipe which will supply nearby villages with water.