Ancient bullets found in Newbury

Archaeologists have found seven ancient bullets that date back to the First Battle of Newbury

SEVEN ancient bullets that date back to the First Battle of Newbury have been recovered in the town.

The discovery has been made by Thames Water archaeologists, who were carrying out a specialist survey on the Civil War site in Essex Street, prior to the start of essential work to replace a century-old water pipe.

The ancient bullets, which were found buried underneath the ground in an adjacent field, are thought to have been shot from a carbine rifle.

Mike Lang Hall, an archaeologist for Optimise, which is working on behalf of Thames Water, said: “This has been a very exciting find and it really is quite rare to find a collection of bullets like this dating back so many centuries in such an urbanised area.

“Most of the bullets are consistent with use of a carbine rifle, a weapon that would have been a popular choice in the First Battle of Newbury, which we know took place on this street in September 1643.

“The number of bullets in such a small area reflects the ferocity of the fighting – it is reported that sixty cartloads of dead were taken into Newbury for burial after the battle, in addition to those buried on the battlefield.”

Thames Water's Programme Delivery Manager, Andrew Popple, said the water company was quite surprised to find the bullets, which he said were in good condition.

Meanwhile, he said the essential work to replace the cast-iron main which has burst 19 times since 1995 was now underway.

The £500,000 project is due to be completed by March and two-way lights will be in place on Essex Street for the duration of the work.