Ancient remains found at Shropshire border bypass site

Archaeological investigations were under way today after Iron, Bronze and Roman Age remains were found on the route of a new bypass on the Shropshire border.

The Welshpool-based Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust (CPAT) said today that the findings from the A483 Four Crosses bypass were now being looked at. The digs are taking place along the route of the bypass, which is currently under construction.

They have also revealed early medieval burials, mesolithic activity and neolithic burials. Archaeologists are now analysing the findings from the dig.

A spokesman for CPAT said: "The bypass cut through a wide variety of sites, some of which were known before excavation and some of which came as a surprise.

"The full story will only become clear once post-excavation work has been completed but a number of different periods are clearly represented.

"Among the earliest sites is a ring-ditch with a central grave pit representing an early prehistoric burial mound.

"Up to a dozen or so similar neolithic and Bronze Age are now known in the immediate area of Four Crosses.

"Most of them have been ploughed flat, but it is clear from the excavation of other sites in and around the village that these mounds continued to form prominent landmarks throughout the Roman and early medieval periods.

"Four Crosses was evidently a prehistoric burial ground and there are hints that some of the mounds were arranged in lines 500 metres or more in length, and may even have influenced the siting of the Offa's Dyke in the late eighth century AD."

He said other sites had included a stretch of pit alignments, but there dating remained uncertain, but could possibly be of Bronze Age date. Work on the Four Crosses bypass began this year and is expected to be completed next year.

The multi-million pound improvement scheme, will take thousands of cars and lorries away from the heart of the village.

The road, which will include a 1,400 metre long, single carriageway bypass, will run to the west of the village and rejoin the existing A483 just outside the 30mph speed.

By Anwen Evans