A new development located off Netherhampton Road in Harnham has uncovered some fascinating findings during the archaeological works.

The development, which will provide 640 new homes, is being built by Vistry Group in partnership with housing association Aster Group.

Vistry worked with Cotswold Archaeology on the recent excavation and, among other archaeological features, the team uncovered five Bronze Age barrows (circa 2400 BC – 700 BC) spread across two excavation areas, ten burials, three unurned cremation burials, an Iron Age lynchet, a large number of pits and postholes – dating from the Neolithic and Late Bronze Age – plus pottery, knives and red deer antler.

The controversial development will see 640 homes built on Netherhampton Road. 

This stage of archaeological works commenced in November 2022 and is ongoing, with artefacts from the site currently moving through post-excavation analysis. The early excavations identified possible occupation and farming activity dating to the Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age (1100 BC – 400 BC), which is relatively rare in Wiltshire, and a large number of pits and postholes – over 240 – which appear to be agricultural in nature.

Beaker pottery (dated between 2600 BC – 1800 BC) and a Neolithic pot were unearthed at the site, as well as a Late Bronze Age spindle whirl. In addition, prehistoric flint tools were discovered, including a micro denticulate/serrated blade – essentially a small saw – and three British Oblique arrowheads, which was the type in use during the Late Neolithic period (3000 BC – 2400 BC).

A Saxon waterhole was exposed, containing preserved timbers, which will be analysed. The team also recovered Anglo-Saxon pottery, a possible buckle and two knives, also likely to be Anglo-Saxon, based on the style of the blades.

The most recent finding was a cache of red deer antler, discovered in a pit and likely to be Neolithic (4000 BC – 2400 BC). Deer antler was highly prised and used for making hand picks, or sometimes attached to straight wooden handles to make pitchforks and rakes. It was also turned into combs and pins, tools, and weapons like mace heads and mattocks, or used as part of ritual activities.

Richard Greatorex, principal fieldwork manager at Cotswold Archaeology, explained: “Five rivers converge in Salisbury: the Nadder from the west, the Ebble from the south-west, the Wylye from the north-west, the Avon from the north, and the Bourne from the north-east. The abundance of water has inevitably attracted human occupation from the Mesolithic onwards (10,000 BC – 4000 BC), which has led to some interesting findings.”

Cotswold Archaeology’s publications manager, Pippa Bradley, said: “Our animal bone and worked bone specialists will look at these artefacts to see if there are any observable traces of deliberate breakage, or patterns of wear. These could suggest modification for use – for example, the burrs and tines can be used for flint knapping, as hammers, or for pressure flaking of flints to make tools.”

Steve Bush, Cotswold Archaeology’s onsite project leader, added: “Developer-led archaeology projects now make up the majority of archaeological discoveries in the UK and help to increase our knowledge of the past enormously. The site has uncovered some brilliant archaeology and has been an amazing opportunity for our archaeologists to excavate and better understand how this area fits into a wider landscape of settlement.”

Vistry worked with Headland Archaeology on the preliminary archaeological works back in 2020, when 137 trenches were opened and Beaker pottery and lithics were discovered. These findings indicated activity dating from the Early Bronze Age to the post-medieval periods.