Dunstables earliest residents

The Archaeology section of Bedfordshire County Council's Heritage and Environment Group offer planning advice and guidance to Bedford Borough, Luton Borough and Mid and South Beds District Councils. Archaeological conditions are often imposed so that any existing archaeology can be recorded before it is damaged or destroyed, helping us to understand more of Bedfordshire's history. In the last year almost 600 planning applications have been dealt with by this section.

As part of an archaeological planning condition imposed by the County Council's Archaeological Officer, excavations were undertaken in central Dunstable by AOC Archaeology in advance of development. The excavation identified part of a Roman cemetery, within which seven inhumations and 24 cremation burials were recovered. Five of the individuals were buried on their backs, one was crouched and one was lying on their front. There was no evidence of coffins, however one of the graves contained a pillow carved into the chalk. Some of the cremation burials were in urns; others had no evidence of a container. A boar burial was also found at the site. Some pottery was recovered from the burial sites, but no other grave goods were found.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Within the same development area a World War 2 air raid shelter was also uncovered. The shelter appeared to have been undisturbed for many years, and a bucket was even in place behind what must have been the toilet door! Photographic records were made of the shelter, which will be demolished before the building works commence. The results from the archaeological work in this area will eventually be deposited within the County Council's Historic Environment Record which is open to the general public.

 

For further information please contact Sam Mellonie|, Heritage & Environment on (01234) 228088.