Archaeologists search for towns ancestors

The scans, carried out by members of Wessex Archaeology, use technology to map gravel deposits throughout the Kennet Valley, which could stretch back to the Mesolithic era.
Community and education officer for Wessex Archaeology, Laura Joyner, said: “We think that a nomadic hunter gather community lived here as the evidence suggests there was a stream to a support a community.”
There were replica furs and animal bones on display in the park with people asking archaeologists probing questions on the work.
Amie Hitchcock, aged 32 from Newbury, said: “It looks really really good. It will be interesting to see what they find. We live nearby and walk along the canal and decided to see what was going on.”
She was joined by her son Azon, aged five, who was fascinated by the items on display.
The project is being carried out in partnership with West Berkshire council and has received funding from English Heritage.
The councils acting archaeological officer, Sarah Orr, said that the aim of the project was to find out where other sites might be along the Kennet Valley.
“Our aim is to preserve, protect and promote archaeology in the district. The aim is to get a picture where these Mesolithic sites are so we can be aware of them in case of future development.”
And the mayor of Newbury, Anthony Pick, who is also vice chairman of the Newbury Society, said: “I’m delighted that the surveys are being carried out in the park as this part of West Berkshire was a large Mesolithic site where people lived and fished.”