| Archaeologists believe the unfinished prehistoric axe was placed in waterlogged ground on purpose, giving a unique insight into the first eastenders that lived and hunted in the area. In the UK’s largest ever archaeological investigation over 140 trenches were dug on the 2.5sq km Olympic Park ahead of the ‘big build’ of the venues and infrastructure for London 2012. Archaeological finds around the Park site include four prehistoric skeletons buried in graves around an area of Iron Age settlement, a Roman coin, Roman river walls, medieval and Neolithic pottery, Second World War gun emplacements and a complete 19th century boat used for hunting wild fowl on the lower River Lea. Over 1,000 people living in the five Host Boroughs have already seen the finds first hand and learned the important past of the area through an archaeological programme of talks, community events and roadshows. The ‘discover’ project, organised by the Olympic Delivery Authority and the Museum of London, marked a year of events yesterday with a public talk for Hackney residents. Following analysis of the fieldwork, the Museum of London will detail the Park investigations and finds in a publication, currently expected to cover two volumes. ODA Chairman John Armitt said: 'It has been a huge logistical exercise to detail the past of the Olympic Park to enable the "big build" of the venues and infrastructure to start on track. Archaeologists and local people have had the opportunity to learn more about the development of Lower Lea Valley and the people that have lived here for thousands of years before it is transformed for future generations.' Museum of London Archaeology Senior Archaeologist Kieron Tyler said: 'As our analysis progresses, an exciting new story is beginning to emerge. We now know that the Olympic Park area was settled and utilised continuously from the prehistoric period onwards. These people lived and died here. This new story of the Lea valley is London before London – a previously unknown London.' Notes to Editors - 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 Museum of London Archaeology has been providing professional archaeological services to the property industry and academic community for the past 30 years. It is an independent division of the Museum of London, one of world’s largest museums of urban history. For more information visit www.museumoflondon.org.uk/archaeology |
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– Ends – For further information please contact the Olympic Delivery Authority Press Office on +44 (0)20 3 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. |
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Find out the latest from London 2012 HQ on our blog. |
- Images from the Olympic Park archaeological investigations and ‘Discover’ project can be downloaded at:http://mm.gettyimages.com/mm/nicePath/locog?nav=pr122115893
- More information on ‘discover’ is available at www.london2012.com/discover
- Olympic Park timeline: