Connect with us

News

Archaeology ‘pop up’ shops feature ‘incredible’ finds from A428 £1bn scheme

The public can see the past come to life through an immersive VR experience

Avatar photo

Published

on

Two free events, taking place in Bedford and St Neots this March, will enable the public to explore the archaeological discoveries from the £1billion National Highways A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet scheme. It involves a  new dual carriageway to reduce congestion and improve journey times between Milton Keynes and Cambridge.

Activities include a display of real artefacts, ancient craft demonstrations, and an immersive VR experience developed exclusively for the scheme.

ArchaeologyShop_EventPromo

Archaeology Shop Event Promo

Events are suitable for all the family with no pre-booking required.

Advertisements
Pictures
Advertisement

Hosted by MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology) who are leading the excavations across the scheme, the shops will feature a display of real archaeological artefacts from the dig, as well as a chance to chat to specialists working on the finds.

CGI reconstruction of an Iron Age village from the A428 ©MOLA_cropped

CGI reconstruction of an Iron Age village from the A428 ©MOLA

The public can also challenge themselves to see whether they have what it takes to survive in Iron Age Britain.

The MOLA team will be joined by experts from Butser Ancient Farm who will demonstrate how people spun yarn in the past and wove their clothes. In addition, visitors can have a go at ancient basket weaving and brooch making.

Advertisement
Iron Age ladder found on the A428. ©MOLA (1)

Iron Age ladder found on the A428. ©MOLA

Iron Age clay loom weight found on the A428. ©MOLA

Iron Age clay loom weight found on the A428. ©MOLA

Finally, the public can see the past come to life through an immersive VR experience, developed exclusively for the A428 and modelled using details and artefacts uncovered during the ongoing excavations.

Late Roman coins found on the A428. ©MOLA

Late Roman coins found on the A428. ©MOLA

Advertisement

Community Engagement Officer at MOLA, Cat Gibbs, said: “The excavations along the A428 have been providing incredible insights into the way of life and wider landscape in this part of Britain over 2,000 years ago.

“We’re really looking forward to sharing these with the public and inspiring local people with the discoveries being made on their doorstep.”

Archaeologists from MOLA have been conducting excavations on the scheme since Summer 2021.

They’ve uncovered a patchwork quilt of small farming settlements and other agricultural features dating mainly from the Iron Age (800 BC – AD 43) to the Roman period (AD 43 – AD 410).

Advertisement
CGI reconstructions and finds from the A428 excavations

CGI reconstructions and finds from the A428 excavations

Discoveries include some of the largest Iron Age roundhouses ever found in Britain, evidence of early beer and wine making, and even the possible remains of an ancient feast.

Archaeological investigations on the project are set to conclude in Summer 2024.

Free event suitable for all the family | No pre-booking required | For enquiries, please email CommunityEngagement@mola.org.uk

Advertisements
canopyuk.com in-article
Advertisement

Bedford

16th March 2024: 11am- 4pm

The Higgins, Bedford

Find out more at: A428 Archaeology Shop – Bedford | MOLA

Advertisement

St Neots

30th March 2024: 10:30am-4pm

Priory Centre, St Neots

Find out more at: A428 Archaeology Shop – St Neots | MOLA

Advertisement

 

About the A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet Improvements

National Highways is upgrading the route between the Black Cat roundabout and Caxton Gibbet roundabout with a new 10-mile dual carriageway and a number of junction improvements.

Route Map showing the proposed A428 scheme ©NationalHighways (1)

Route Map showing the proposed A428 scheme ©National Highways

The scheme will improve journeys between Milton Keynes and Cambridge, bringing communities together and supporting long term growth in the region. It will cut journey times by more than a third at peak times, saving up to ten minutes each way – and as much as 1.5 hours over a working week.

Advertisement

Find out more about the scheme on the National Highways website and follow the latest news on Twitter and Facebook

About MOLA

MOLA is an experienced and innovative archaeological and built heritage practice, Independent Research Organisation, and charity.

With over 350 staff working across England, MOLA has been providing independent, professional heritage advice and services for over 50 years.

Advertisement

Find out more at mola.org.uk, on TwitterFacebook and LinkedIn.

 

Facebook

Read More

The bodies of John and Barbara Nicholls were recovered from the 20ft river at March. Police confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances; their inquests opened yesterday. PHOTO: Terry Harris for CambsNews The bodies of John and Barbara Nicholls were recovered from the 20ft river at March. Police confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances; their inquests opened yesterday. PHOTO: Terry Harris for CambsNews
News5 hours ago

Inquests open into deaths of Friday Bridge couple pulled from Fenland river

Cause of death has not been established as yet

Wounded gull being cared for by RSPCA at East Winch Wildlife Hospital near King’s Lynn (right) with X-ray of injuries. Image: RSPCA Wounded gull being cared for by RSPCA at East Winch Wildlife Hospital near King’s Lynn (right) with X-ray of injuries. Image: RSPCA
News7 hours ago

Gull shot and wounded fights for life after Wisbech air gun attack

Wild birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

“At 8.25pm on Thursday (25) a crew from Ely was called to a car fire on Second Drove in Queen Adelaide,” said a spokesperson for Cambridgeshire fire and rescue. PHOTO: CambsNews reader “At 8.25pm on Thursday (25) a crew from Ely was called to a car fire on Second Drove in Queen Adelaide,” said a spokesperson for Cambridgeshire fire and rescue. PHOTO: CambsNews reader
News10 hours ago

Firefighters attend blazing car near Ely – luckily, the driver got out in time

Car caught fire in Second Drove, Queen Adelaide

From Monday (29 July), the A1307 there will be one lane closed in both directions for the works – it will involve getting soil samples, stripping back the vegetation, and clearing out the drains. From Monday (29 July), the A1307 there will be one lane closed in both directions for the works – it will involve getting soil samples, stripping back the vegetation, and clearing out the drains.
News11 hours ago

A1307 – in ‘old money’ the former A14 – to get long awaited make over

From Monday (29 July), there will be one lane closed in both directions

California commerce chiefs visit to Marshall Cambridge will ‘deepen local ties’ Marshall hosted representatives from North Carolina’s Department of Commerce and economic development partnerships for a tour of its Cambridge headquarters this week “providing a glimpse of the capabilities, heritage and values it will soon be bringing to the state”. A Marshall spokesperson said: “As progress continues on the construction of the company’s new maintenance, repair, overhaul (MRO) and engineering facility at Piedmont Triad International Airport, the visit served to deepen local ties while demonstrating the value Marshall’s presence promises to bring to North Carolina.” The tour covered a range of Marshall’s aerospace operations, including MRO work on the United States Marine Corps fleet of KC-130J airlifters, and heavy engineering projects such as the removal and replacement of aircraft centre wing boxes. “It was incredibly rewarding to showcase our capabilities on home turf to some of the individuals whose support and enthusiasm made it so easy to choose North Carolina as a home for our new U.S. facility,” said Marshall MRO Support Services Director Chris Dare. “Our Cambridge and Greensboro operations may be thousands expertise, apart, but they will share a common commitment to providing mission-critical support for our customers, and I am certain the MRO technical knowledge, expertise and capabilities we have cultivated in the UK will grow and flourish in North Carolina’s thriving aerospace ecosystem.” In addition to Secretary of Commerce Machelle Baker Sanders, the delegation included Christopher Chung, CEO of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, and Brent Christensen, President, and CEO of Greensboro Chamber of Commerce. “This visit yielded a deep understanding of the high-value work Marshall is delivering for the U.S. Marine Corps and more than a dozen other customers around the world,” said Sanders. “As the new facility comes ever-closer to opening its doors, Marshall is a perfect example of how the burgeoning UK-North Carolina relationship will continue to foster skilled employment and economic activity for our state.” Earlier this week, members of Marshall’s senior leadership team also met with the North Carolina delegation at a series of events facilitated by the UK’s Department of Business and Trade during the Farnborough International Airshow. These engagements charted two years of progress since the July 2022 signing of a landmark economic arrangement between North Carolina and the UK to strengthen economic ties and transition to a clean energy economy. Earlier this month, CNBC ranked North Carolina among the top three states to do business in the U.S. for the fifth year running. Visit to Marshall’s Cambridge by representatives of North Carolina’s Department of Commerce and economic development partnerships. The visit was led by Secretary of Commerce Machelle Baker Sanders, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina CEO Christopher Chung, and Greensboro Chamber of Commerce President Brent Christensen – in addition to senior and support staff from all three organisations. California commerce chiefs visit to Marshall Cambridge will ‘deepen local ties’ Marshall hosted representatives from North Carolina’s Department of Commerce and economic development partnerships for a tour of its Cambridge headquarters this week “providing a glimpse of the capabilities, heritage and values it will soon be bringing to the state”. A Marshall spokesperson said: “As progress continues on the construction of the company’s new maintenance, repair, overhaul (MRO) and engineering facility at Piedmont Triad International Airport, the visit served to deepen local ties while demonstrating the value Marshall’s presence promises to bring to North Carolina.” The tour covered a range of Marshall’s aerospace operations, including MRO work on the United States Marine Corps fleet of KC-130J airlifters, and heavy engineering projects such as the removal and replacement of aircraft centre wing boxes. “It was incredibly rewarding to showcase our capabilities on home turf to some of the individuals whose support and enthusiasm made it so easy to choose North Carolina as a home for our new U.S. facility,” said Marshall MRO Support Services Director Chris Dare. “Our Cambridge and Greensboro operations may be thousands expertise, apart, but they will share a common commitment to providing mission-critical support for our customers, and I am certain the MRO technical knowledge, expertise and capabilities we have cultivated in the UK will grow and flourish in North Carolina’s thriving aerospace ecosystem.” In addition to Secretary of Commerce Machelle Baker Sanders, the delegation included Christopher Chung, CEO of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, and Brent Christensen, President, and CEO of Greensboro Chamber of Commerce. “This visit yielded a deep understanding of the high-value work Marshall is delivering for the U.S. Marine Corps and more than a dozen other customers around the world,” said Sanders. “As the new facility comes ever-closer to opening its doors, Marshall is a perfect example of how the burgeoning UK-North Carolina relationship will continue to foster skilled employment and economic activity for our state.” Earlier this week, members of Marshall’s senior leadership team also met with the North Carolina delegation at a series of events facilitated by the UK’s Department of Business and Trade during the Farnborough International Airshow. These engagements charted two years of progress since the July 2022 signing of a landmark economic arrangement between North Carolina and the UK to strengthen economic ties and transition to a clean energy economy. Earlier this month, CNBC ranked North Carolina among the top three states to do business in the U.S. for the fifth year running. Visit to Marshall’s Cambridge by representatives of North Carolina’s Department of Commerce and economic development partnerships. The visit was led by Secretary of Commerce Machelle Baker Sanders, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina CEO Christopher Chung, and Greensboro Chamber of Commerce President Brent Christensen – in addition to senior and support staff from all three organisations. Visit to Marshall’s Cambridge by representatives of North Carolina’s Department of Commerce and economic development partnerships. The visit was led by Secretary of Commerce Machelle Baker Sanders, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina CEO Christopher Chung, and Greensboro Chamber of Commerce President Brent Christensen – in addition to senior and support staff from all three organisations. California commerce chiefs visit to Marshall Cambridge will ‘deepen local ties’ Marshall hosted representatives from North Carolina’s Department of Commerce and economic development partnerships for a tour of its Cambridge headquarters this week “providing a glimpse of the capabilities, heritage and values it will soon be bringing to the state”. A Marshall spokesperson said: “As progress continues on the construction of the company’s new maintenance, repair, overhaul (MRO) and engineering facility at Piedmont Triad International Airport, the visit served to deepen local ties while demonstrating the value Marshall’s presence promises to bring to North Carolina.” The tour covered a range of Marshall’s aerospace operations, including MRO work on the United States Marine Corps fleet of KC-130J airlifters, and heavy engineering projects such as the removal and replacement of aircraft centre wing boxes. “It was incredibly rewarding to showcase our capabilities on home turf to some of the individuals whose support and enthusiasm made it so easy to choose North Carolina as a home for our new U.S. facility,” said Marshall MRO Support Services Director Chris Dare. “Our Cambridge and Greensboro operations may be thousands expertise, apart, but they will share a common commitment to providing mission-critical support for our customers, and I am certain the MRO technical knowledge, expertise and capabilities we have cultivated in the UK will grow and flourish in North Carolina’s thriving aerospace ecosystem.” In addition to Secretary of Commerce Machelle Baker Sanders, the delegation included Christopher Chung, CEO of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, and Brent Christensen, President, and CEO of Greensboro Chamber of Commerce. “This visit yielded a deep understanding of the high-value work Marshall is delivering for the U.S. Marine Corps and more than a dozen other customers around the world,” said Sanders. “As the new facility comes ever-closer to opening its doors, Marshall is a perfect example of how the burgeoning UK-North Carolina relationship will continue to foster skilled employment and economic activity for our state.” Earlier this week, members of Marshall’s senior leadership team also met with the North Carolina delegation at a series of events facilitated by the UK’s Department of Business and Trade during the Farnborough International Airshow. These engagements charted two years of progress since the July 2022 signing of a landmark economic arrangement between North Carolina and the UK to strengthen economic ties and transition to a clean energy economy. Earlier this month, CNBC ranked North Carolina among the top three states to do business in the U.S. for the fifth year running. Visit to Marshall’s Cambridge by representatives of North Carolina’s Department of Commerce and economic development partnerships. The visit was led by Secretary of Commerce Machelle Baker Sanders, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina CEO Christopher Chung, and Greensboro Chamber of Commerce President Brent Christensen – in addition to senior and support staff from all three organisations. California commerce chiefs visit to Marshall Cambridge will ‘deepen local ties’ Marshall hosted representatives from North Carolina’s Department of Commerce and economic development partnerships for a tour of its Cambridge headquarters this week “providing a glimpse of the capabilities, heritage and values it will soon be bringing to the state”. A Marshall spokesperson said: “As progress continues on the construction of the company’s new maintenance, repair, overhaul (MRO) and engineering facility at Piedmont Triad International Airport, the visit served to deepen local ties while demonstrating the value Marshall’s presence promises to bring to North Carolina.” The tour covered a range of Marshall’s aerospace operations, including MRO work on the United States Marine Corps fleet of KC-130J airlifters, and heavy engineering projects such as the removal and replacement of aircraft centre wing boxes. “It was incredibly rewarding to showcase our capabilities on home turf to some of the individuals whose support and enthusiasm made it so easy to choose North Carolina as a home for our new U.S. facility,” said Marshall MRO Support Services Director Chris Dare. “Our Cambridge and Greensboro operations may be thousands expertise, apart, but they will share a common commitment to providing mission-critical support for our customers, and I am certain the MRO technical knowledge, expertise and capabilities we have cultivated in the UK will grow and flourish in North Carolina’s thriving aerospace ecosystem.” In addition to Secretary of Commerce Machelle Baker Sanders, the delegation included Christopher Chung, CEO of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, and Brent Christensen, President, and CEO of Greensboro Chamber of Commerce. “This visit yielded a deep understanding of the high-value work Marshall is delivering for the U.S. Marine Corps and more than a dozen other customers around the world,” said Sanders. “As the new facility comes ever-closer to opening its doors, Marshall is a perfect example of how the burgeoning UK-North Carolina relationship will continue to foster skilled employment and economic activity for our state.” Earlier this week, members of Marshall’s senior leadership team also met with the North Carolina delegation at a series of events facilitated by the UK’s Department of Business and Trade during the Farnborough International Airshow. These engagements charted two years of progress since the July 2022 signing of a landmark economic arrangement between North Carolina and the UK to strengthen economic ties and transition to a clean energy economy. Earlier this month, CNBC ranked North Carolina among the top three states to do business in the U.S. for the fifth year running. Visit to Marshall’s Cambridge by representatives of North Carolina’s Department of Commerce and economic development partnerships. The visit was led by Secretary of Commerce Machelle Baker Sanders, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina CEO Christopher Chung, and Greensboro Chamber of Commerce President Brent Christensen – in addition to senior and support staff from all three organisations. Visit to Marshall’s Cambridge by representatives of North Carolina’s Department of Commerce and economic development partnerships. The visit was led by Secretary of Commerce Machelle Baker Sanders, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina CEO Christopher Chung, and Greensboro Chamber of Commerce President Brent Christensen – in addition to senior and support staff from all three organisations.
News11 hours ago

California commerce chiefs visit to Marshall of Cambridge will ‘deepen local ties’

The tour covered a range of Marshall’s aerospace operations

Wayne McKie, 46, forced open a ground-floor window of a house in Winchester Way, Thorpe Meadows, Peterborough. Wayne McKie, 46, forced open a ground-floor window of a house in Winchester Way, Thorpe Meadows, Peterborough.
News12 hours ago

WATCH: CCTV catches burglar who left family in ‘emotional turmoil’

'The effect McKie’s actions have had on the victims cannot be underestimated'

Community leaders have been celebrating better and safer journeys for people travelling in and around Mitcham’s Corner. Community leaders have been celebrating better and safer journeys for people travelling in and around Mitcham’s Corner.
News12 hours ago

Mitcham’s Corner, Cambridge now ‘safer and easier for people to walk and cycle’

Upgrades part of GCP’s Milton Road project

Stalker Graeme Clark, 43, of Willow Green, Needingworth, St Ives, who gave his victim £10,000 in a bid to make her stay in contact with him has been jailed. Stalker Graeme Clark, 43, of Willow Green, Needingworth, St Ives, who gave his victim £10,000 in a bid to make her stay in contact with him has been jailed.
News1 day ago

Obsessed Cambridgeshire stalker left victim ‘feeling in genuine fear’

Stalker messaged victim’s family and friends to 'check on her welfare'

Motorists who throw cigarette butts out of car windows are being warned to stop littering after two people were fined £400 each. Motorists who throw cigarette butts out of car windows are being warned to stop littering after two people were fined £400 each.
News1 day ago

Motorists fined £400 for tossing cigarette butts onto Cambridgeshire roads

South Cambs council invites public to report offenders

Councillor visit to ESCC (L-R: Councillor Geoffrey Seef, County Councillor for St Neots The Eatons [local councillor]; Rob Ashwell, chairman of ESCC; Cllr Alex Bulat Vice-Chair of Cambridgeshire County Council's Communities, Social Mobility, and Inclusion Committee). Credit to Cambridgeshire County Council. Councillor visit to ESCC (L-R: Councillor Geoffrey Seef, County Councillor for St Neots The Eatons [local councillor]; Rob Ashwell, chairman of ESCC; Cllr Alex Bulat Vice-Chair of Cambridgeshire County Council's Communities, Social Mobility, and Inclusion Committee). Credit to Cambridgeshire County Council.
News1 day ago

Cricket club’s ‘one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind’ towards net zero

Eaton Socon Cricket Club had seen their energy costs triple