Archaeological work on Games site finds evidence of the first Londoners and Romans

Digs on the site of the London 2012 Aquatics Centre have revealed evidence of an Iron Age settlement. Fourth-century pottery and a Roman coin has also been found on the Olympic Stadium site.

The finds will go on to form part of the Museum of London’s collection and record of the archaeological investigations, which have been planned as part of the programme of work to clear the site ahead of construction. None of the archaeological work will cause any delays to the programme.

The first Londoners lived in thatched circular mud huts on the site that will boast a Zaha Hadid designed Aquatics Centre but in the Iron Age would have been a small area of dry land in a valley of lakes, rivers and marshes. The first Londoners lived by and fished in what is now the River Lea and parts of the pots they would have used to cook their fish have also been discovered. The Aquatics Centre will be beside the river which is currently being widened by eight metres as part of a programme to restore the ancient waterways of the Lower Lea Valley.

The Roman Coin and pottery were found buried behind a wooden river wall that may have been built and used by the Romans. The coin has been dated AD 330-335 the time of the Roman emperor Constantine II. One side of the coin features a picture of two soldiers and two standards, the other has inscriptions representing Constantine II, Caesar and Ilissimus.

The archaeologists are currently dating the woodwork and trying to establish how the finds link to evidence of Roman activity in the Hackney Wick area, which would have overlooked the Lea Valley in the 4th century. This is the first evidence for Roman activity associated with the rivers of the valley itself.

ODA Chief Executive David Higgins said:

'We are taking this opportunity to tell the fascinating story of the lower Lea Valley before it is given a new lease of life for the Games and future generations. It is a story of change and transformation dating back centuries. The archaeological work has been long planned in conjunction with our programme and will not cause any delays.'

The ODA has invited Museum of London archaeologists and Pre-Construct Archaeology (MoLAS-PCA) to look for evidence of the original prehistoric Londoners right through to Roman, Viking, medieval and relatively recent industrial and military activities on the Olympic Park site. They are also 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.

Trenches are being dug and investigated on the sites of the permanent venues and infrastructure. Interesting remains will either be photographed and recorded or removed to form part of the Museum of London’s collection. The archaeological research is interlinked with work preparing for construction and shows that nothing of national importance requiring preservation on site is expected to be found.

Olympic Park timeline:

• 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
  

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