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Archaeologists uncover prehistoric landscape beneath Oxford

30 October 2009

Archaeologists excavating the former Radcliffe Infirmary site in Oxford have uncovered evidence of a prehistoric monumental landscape stretching across the gravel terrace between the Thames and Cherwell rivers.

The work was carried out over the summer in preparation for Oxford University's proposed Radcliffe Observatory Quarter - plans for which were revealed earlier this month.

In addition to these findings, the work has also uncovered evidence of a 6th century Saxon settlement, including a sunken featured craft hut known as a Grübenhauser and a pit containing unfired clay loom weights.

A team from Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) has been excavating parts of the 3.7 hectare site. The excavation has revealed evidence of three large prehistoric 'ring ditches' along with some evidence of possible associated cremation burials and an enigmatic rectangular enclosure, finds from which are currently being subjected to radio carbon dating.

Mike Wigg, Head of Capital Projects at Oxford University, said: "The University was delighted to provide the opportunity for an investigation of Oxford heritage to be carried out in advance of any development work.

"The River Thames was an important focus for monument building in the Neolithic and Bronze Age periods when monuments used for burial, ritual and social purposes were constructed along the gravel terraces of the river. A spokesperson from MOLA explained: 'Ring ditches are, as the name suggests, circular ditches, which are often the remains of ploughed out barrows, that may be associated with burials of high status individuals in the later Neolithic or Bronze Age, about 4000 years ago.

'The archaeologists had suspected the presence of prehistoric remains because a 12th century documentary source records 'the croft of the three barrows' in this area. Parch marks of a possible sequence of ring ditches in University Parks had indicated that similar remains might be present on the Radcliffe site.

The Saxon activity around the much earlier barrow cemetery is not uncommon and is recorded at other similar sites along the Thames. However this is the first evidence for such a relationship in Oxford. The archaeologists are now working on the post-excavation phase of the project.

A Museum of London spokesperson said: "We are grateful to the University for enabling this unusually large site to be archaeologically investigated. The knowledge obtained should make a significant contribution to public appreciation of this important part of Oxford's past, when the landscape was very different from that seen today"

For more information contact Katie Samuel in the University of Oxford Press Office on 01865 270046 or press.office@admin.ox.ac.uk 

Notes to Editors

  • Aerial views of the excavated ring ditches are attached as JPEG.
  • For more information on the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter visit www.ox.ac.uk/roq.

    The Radcliffe Observatory Quarter is a large scheme of new educational facilities for Oxford University. It will proceed as a number of major development phases, over several years and occupies the site of a former hospital, the Radcliffe Infirmary.

    This covers a total area of c 3.7 hectares to the north of Oxford city centre. Listed buildings forming the original nucleus of the hospital (founded by John Radcliffe c 1769) are being retained. Across the remainder of the site, the development will include a substantial new basement.

    Accordingly, in 2008, the University commissioned a detailed report on the archaeological implications, from Museum of London Archaeology. This study identified an archaeological potential for a Bronze Age barrow cemetery, possibly re-used during the Saxon period. An archaeological field evaluation was then undertaken using test pits and trial trenches. This enabled a good predictive model of archaeological survival to be produced, zoning the site into areas of high, medium and low archaeological potential.

    Subsequently an archaeological excavation has taken place revealing the remains of three large (probably Bronze Age) ring ditches have been located, together with evidence of Saxon settlement; and structural and horticultural evidence associated with the grounds of both the 18th/early19th century Infirmary and the adjoining Radcliffe Observatory.  

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