A historical society thinks a ‘Roman road’ discovered near Evesham could completely reshape the town’s history.
A possible first-century ford was discovered by workers at Severn Trent in an unspecified location several weeks ago.
While tests are currently underway to try to determine the age of the site, members of the Vale of Evesham Historical Society have begun to speculate what this might mean in relation to the town’s origins.
A spokesperson for the group explained: “The town itself dates from the Saxon period, having developed around the abbey founded by St Ecgwin in the early 8th century.
“This recent discovery just outside the city has the potential to extend knowledge of our history long before the Saxon period.”
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They added: “From the images seen and the excellent YouTube clip recorded by Aiden Smyth (Archaeology Advisor for Wychavon District Council), this ford shows the technical excellence of the road builders who built this magnificent work.
“You expect to see this quality of craftsmanship in the big cities of Rome and Pompeii and elsewhere, but in a small backwater of the Roman Empire?
“It rather suggests that this area must have had some significance and certainly makes you think about what might be hidden for now.”
A section dug from the road is to be sent for optically stimulated luminescence testing which will measure the last time the sediment was exposed to sunlight.
The council warned that this process could take several months.
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The VEHS spokesperson went on to explain what he would like to see done with the site.
“It is the norm for archaeological sites to be reburied to preserve finds for the future, once excavation is complete, and it is presumed that this will happen to this site,” they said.
“But it is gratifying that so much care is taken to record in great detail everything that has been discovered here.
“When it’s all done, it will no doubt be available to everyone, whether it’s academics or members of the public who want to get involved with the history of their neighborhood and even of the UK and beyond. of the.
“We hope there will be space for a very interesting exhibition at the Almonry Museum about the valley in Roman times and we would be happy to collaborate with that.”
