Palaeolithic or prehistoric water course, East Street (EHER 16371)

Excavation in 1979 recorded a substantial water-course (2m wide by 2m deep) that ran east-west across the site. The portion close to the road was deliberately re-cut during the medieval period.

1979. Archaeological excavation. Two peri-glacial watercourses were recorded, probably pre-Roman in date. A substantial channel ran east-west diagonally across the site, at least 2m wide and 2m deep, deliberately re-cut along the street frontage in the medieval period. <1> An excavation at East Street revealed a substantial water-course (2m wide by 2m deep) that ran east-west across the site. The portion close to the road was deliberately re-cut during the medieval period. The excavator suggests that if the water-course continued on its alignment it would have cut East Street, and that the road must be a relatively late addition to the town plan, probably eighteenth century, but pre-dating 1777. However it is possible that it was simply crossed by a bridge. <2>