Early evidence uncovered of industrial Britain

2,000-year-old Roman remains are being unearthed in one of the UK’s largest archaeological digs of the year.

A team of 36 archaeologists are excavating a piece of land 30 times the size of Trafalgar Square, near Stanford-le-Hope in Essex. Experts recently discovered Iron Age and Roman salt-making sites, thought to be some of the earliest pieces of evidence of industrial activity in Britain.

The dig is located five miles away from the proposed new London Gateway port, which is 25 miles east from central London in the Thames Estuary. The work is being carried out prior to creating a new specially-protected area for wildlife and rare birds. The new wildlife area is part of the environmental compensation required by the Government Inspector following the Planning Inquiry for London Gateway Port held in 2003.

The discoveries include timber posts within the foundations of a 1,800-year-old Roman roundhouse, which would have been used as an industrial building as part of the salt-making process.

Other wooden structures found at the site, known as Mucking Creek near Stanford-le-Hope, include a boathouse and a pair of channel holding walls made of wattlework, or basket-woven roundwood panels. Both the boathouse and the roundhouse have been radiocarbon dated to between 40BC and AD240.

Marcus Pearson, Environmental Manager at London Gateway, said: “The excavation is one of the largest areas to be investigated by archaeologists in Essex for over 100 years. We are now preserving it for future generations.

“DP World has been working closely with both Essex County Council and English Heritage to ensure all our work is fully recorded. Any items of interest are being made available to the public through local museums and we will be publishing a full report on the remains. We will also be using the discoveries as an educational aid to show local school children what the area used to look like and making a short video to document the findings.”

Katrina Anker, from Oxford Archaeology, the company commissioned to carry out the dig, said: “The site provides a unique insight into late Iron Age and Roman salt-making, which was an important industry in the Thames Estuary between 2,300 and 1,700 years ago. The peak of the Roman salt industry in the 1st and 2nd century AD coincides with the early development of London as a city. Salt would have been a very important commodity for people living in this boom location. The dig has provided a number of important finds that reveal the rich history of the area.”

The archaeological team used cutting-edge technology to carry out the dig. GIS (Geographic Information Systems) mapping software enhanced the predictions of the findings. Remote sensing, land surveying, aerial photography and photogrammetry, were used throughout the project.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

• London Gateway Port is owned by DP World.
• The Archaeological Site is situated three miles from the main London Gateway port development site.
• The London Gateway port project, which will also include Europe’s largest logistics park, will become a national hub port for the UK and will accommodate the world’s largest container ships.
• With dedicated rail freight terminals, excellent highway links and coastal shipping facilities, London Gateway will ensure the nation’s goods are transported more efficiently, at less cost and in a more environmentally sustainable way.

About DP World:
DP World is one of the largest marine terminal operators in the world, with 49 terminals and 13 new developments across 32 countries(1). Its dedicated, experienced and professional team of nearly 30,000 people serves customers in some of the most dynamic economies in the world.

DP World aims to enhance customers’ supply chain efficiency by effectively managing container, bulk and other terminal cargo. The company constantly invests in terminal infrastructure, facilities and people, working closely with customers and business partners to provide quality services today and tomorrow, when and where customers need them. In taking this customer-centric approach, DP World is building on the established relationships and superior level of service demonstrated at its flagship Jebel Ali facility in Dubai, which has been voted “Best Seaport in the Middle East” for 15 consecutive years.

In 2008, DP World handled more than 46.8 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent container units) across its portfolio from the Americas to Asia – an increase of 8% on 2007. With a pipeline of expansion and development projects in key growth markets, including India, China and the Middle East, capacity is expected to rise to around 95 million TEU over the next ten years.

www.dpworld.com

(1) As of August 2009.

For more information contact:
Rechenda Smith at Mosaic Publicity on 01206 548100 or email rechenda@mosaicpublicity.co.uk.

Xavier Woodward Communications Manager – London Gateway DP World 01375 648 340 – xavier.woodward@dpworld.com
www.londongateway.com