Jan Bartek – AncientPages.com – Archaeologists working in Suffolk, UK, have uncovered the remains of a previously unknown Anglo-Saxon village dating back to between 410 and 1066 AD.
The MOLA-Wessex Archaeology team has revealed significant findings that illuminate East Anglia’s ancient history. Among their discoveries are well-preserved prehistoric stone tools and evidence of a local medieval pottery industry.
Credit: MOLA-Wessex Archaeology
According to the scientists, these excavations are being conducted in partnership with Wessex Archaeology for ScottishPower Renewables, as part of preparations for the East Anglia TWO and ONE North development projects. Remarkably, the team has uncovered an entire ancient landscape spanning more than twenty-four hectares—an area equivalent to seventeen football pitches.
The recently uncovered Anglo-Saxon settlement is situated near the modern village of Friston, an area with its own early Medieval roots. Archaeological evidence indicates that this site once supported a small community living in wooden longhouses. These structures served not only as residences but also as important social centers, featuring central hearths for cooking and warmth. Although the original wooden buildings have decayed over time, archaeologists have identified substantial postholes that indicate houses measuring up to 19 meters long and 6 meters wide.
Unfortunately, the settlement did not persist beyond the 1300s. Researchers from MOLA-Wessex Archaeology are continuing their investigations to determine more precisely when the village was inhabited and what led to its abandonment. Notably, a modern public footpath aligns perfectly with where these early medieval buildings once stood, suggesting that this route may have been in continuous use since at least the Anglo-Saxon period—if not earlier.
Credit: MOLA-Wessex Archaeology
Additional discoveries across the site include evidence of Stone Age toolmaking. Among these finds is a finely crafted axe head likely used for woodworking, land clearing, or possibly butchery. Another remarkable artifact is a complete flint arrowhead dating back 4,000–6,000 years; such items are rarely found intact due to their delicate construction and tendency to break in soil over time.
“On the East Anglian coast near Sizewell, our team has also uncovered evidence for much later local industry in the form of medieval kilns, likely used to produce pottery, ceramics, or lime,” the archaeologists said in a press release.
“The archaeological programme is already proving there is much to uncover about the history of East Anglia and its past populations.
These sites were always rural, but they were by no means isolated. We’ve discovered pottery associated with the ‘Beaker folk’, who lived across Europe in the early Bronze Age and brought new cultures and ideas to Britain. This suggests locals were in contact and trading with groups on the continent more than 3000 years ago.
We look forward to adding more details like this to the rich tapestry of East Anglia’s heritage as our work on the project continues,” MOLA-Wessex Archaeology Senior Project Manager Matthew Ginnever said.
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“East Anglia TWO is about providing a cleaner, greener future for the region and the UK, but it’s doubly rewarding to be able to offer new insights into East Anglia’s history too.
“Preserving both the environment and heritage are a key part of our approach, and it’s great to see this ethos shared by the excellent teams at MOLA-Wessex Archaeology,” Michael Hotze, ScottishPower Renewables’ Project Execution Director for East Anglia TWO said.
Written by Jan Bartek – AncientPages.com Staff Writer
