Archaeologists have unearthed two remarkably preserved Roman wells underneath the A428 on the border between Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. Researchers from the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) found the wells while working to preserve archaeology beneath a new road improvement project. Dating back to the Roman period (AD 43-410), played a crucial role in the development of a settlement that began as a quiet farmstead in the Middle Iron Age (around 350 BC) and evolved into a hub of industrial activity during the early Roman period (AD 43-150). Evidence suggests that the site was a centre for Romano-British metalworking, carpentry, and woodworking, all conducted within a large, gated enclosure. The residents, needing a reliable water supply, initially dug a well just outside the enclosure. This first well, reaching a depth of 8.5 metres—equivalent to the height of a modern two-storey house—was an ambitious project, but as MOLA Project Manager Simon Markus explained, it did not go as planned. “Despite containing the remains of a wooden ladder, this first well collapsed before they could use it. As we discovered when we first started our excavations here, the clay literally peels away from the more compacted earth and stone. We’ve all done a bit of DIY that hasn’t quite gone to plan, but this was a failure of Roman engineering on an industrial scale. A lot of effort would have gone into digging this well which they then had to completely abandon,” Markus said. Undeterred, the settlement’s inhabitants constructed a second well within the enclosure, incorporating additional measures to prevent another collapse. This well, slightly smaller at 6.5 metres deep, was reinforced with wooden boards to support the structure. Markus noted, “We can sympathise with the original well diggers because excavating these required as much careful design and effort as building them.” The MOLA team meticulously excavated around the well’s wooden structure, eventually reaching the base, which was covered with stone cobbles to filter the water. Inside the well, they discovered sawn-off branches, woodchips, and off-cuts of planks—waste material from the Romano-British carpenters after the well had gone out of use. The quantity of waste wood suggests that a substantial carpentry industry was operating at the site. Some of the larger pieces of wood recovered from the well even feature decorations, including horizontal lines and crosses, which may provide clues about the items being produced here. While further analysis is needed to determine exactly what the Roman carpenters were making, MOLA archaeologists have found evidence indicating that the workshop was part of a broader trade network. At the southern end of the site, the team identified what is likely a Roman road, which would have connected the settlement to major Roman routes, potentially supplying larger settlements like Godmanchester and nearby villa rustica (Roman countryside estates). Reflecting on the significance of the discoveries, Gareth Moores, A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet Programme Manager, stated: "This archaeological work has been a fascinating and integral part of the A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet improvements. Without this major road scheme, these invaluable discoveries about Roman engineering and daily life might have remained hidden forever. The latest findings from the excavations offer a unique glimpse into the past, highlighting the incredible craftsmanship and resilience of those who lived here nearly two thousand years ago. We are proud to support such important work that connects us with our history while building for the future." Where: Caxton Gibbet, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom When: 19 Aug 2024 Credit: MOLA/Cover Images **EDITORIAL USE ONLY. MATERIALS ONLY TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH EDITORIAL STORY. THE USE OF THESE MATERIALS FOR ADVERTISING, MARKETING OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL PURPOSE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. MATERIAL COPYRIGHT REMAINS WITH STATED SUPPLIER.**