Museum of London archaeologist, Kieron Tyler, who has led the investigation of the Olympic Park ahead of the ‘big build’ of the venues and infrastructure for London 2012 will give local residents a flavour of their fascinating discoveries at the following public talks:

26 November, Vestry House Museum, 7pm
Vestry Road, Walthamstow E17 9NH

1 December, Museum of London Docklands, 7pm
West India Quay, Canary Wharf, London E14 4AL

21 January, Stratford Circus, 7pm
Theatre Square, London, E15 1BX

17 February, Greenwich Heritage Centre, 7pm 
Artillery Sq, London, SE18 4DX

4 Mar, Hackney Wick Old Baths, 7pm 
80 East Way, E9 5JH

The events, which are organised by the Olympic Delivery Authority and the Museum of London as part of the ‘discover’ programme launched earlier this year, is free and tickets can be booked in advance from this week on 0203 2012 235.

As well as learning more about how the area has transformed over thousands of years local people will be able to see first hand the clues to the past found on the site ranging from the Iron Age and Roman activities in the area to discoveries from recent times.

The year-long ‘discover’ project is giving local people an insight into the fascinating past of the Olympic Park through talks, community events and roadshows across the London 2012 Host Boroughs. More information on ‘discover’ is available at http://www.london2012.com/discover

ODA Chief Executive David Higgins said: 'London 2012 is transforming the Lower Lea Valley for future generations. This talk is a great opportunity for local residents to hear about the past of their area as it becomes the parklands, venues, homes, waterways and employment space they will enjoy as a legacy of the Games.'

Archaeological finds around the Olympic Park site include four prehistoric skeletons buried in graves around an area of Iron Age settlement, a Roman coin, Roman river walls, Second World War gun emplacements and a complete 19 century boat used for hunting wild fowl on the lower River Lea. Archaeologists have also been charting the topography of the site to build a picture of how the land and waterways have developed and how climate change has affected the area.

Olympic Park timeline:
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For further information please contact the Olympic Delivery Authority Press Office on +44 (0)203 2012 700.

The construction of the venues and infrastructure of the London 2012 Games is funded by the National Lottery through the Olympic Lottery Distributor, The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Mayor of London and the London Development Agency.

Find out the latest from London 2012 HQ on our blog.

• 3000BC: wetlands which the early Londoners navigated by timber walkways to fish and hunt.
• 50AD: the Roman road ‘Ermine Street’ from London to Colchester crossed marshes
• Late 9th century – King Alfred reputedly dug Channelsea river to divert invading Vikings from the Thames on their way to London
• 1110: The first stone arch ‘bow’ bridge in Britain, gave the area its name
• 1135: Cistercian Abbey exploited Lea water power
• Late 12th century: Knights Templar water mill (Temple Mills)
• 17th/18th century: UK’s first calico printer and porcelain factory
• 1892: UK’s first petrol factory.
• 1858: The Northern Outfall Sewer constructed
• 1860: Plastic invented in the Lea Valley.
• 1876: Dry cleaning introduced to the UK.
• 1904: William Yardley cosmetics, soap and lavender factory