Fascinating Finds: archaeology on the A428

We are working with MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology) to excavate and record any archaeological features found on the scheme

Why do we do archaeological work?

Archaeological investigations are an important part in major road infrastructure schemes. Before we start to build, our archaeologists carefully excavate and record what’s beneath the surface. We are carrying out advanced work around our proposed route - so you may see us in fields and land nearby. This means local people, communities and enthusiasts discover more about the heritage of the region. By doing this work now, we can sensitively excavate any finds, help keep the overall construction programme as short as possible and reduce disruption for the local community.

We understand the importance of local heritage and preserving heritage assets so we've developed several ways for people to explore and stay up to date with the latest discoveries.

From interactive maps that take you around a plan of one of our digs, to podcasts talking directly to the experts, you can get closer than ever before to Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire’s archaeology!

Get into the nitty-gritty of what we’ve found so far on the A428 so far…

Interactive maps

In these interactive maps you can see where we’ve excavated different finds and features, and learn how the site changes over hundreds of years. Travel through time on this 2,000 year-old farmstead by clicking on the maps to see what we unearthed!

Early phase

This map shows the earliest evidence of people living around this area – during the Iron Age (700 BC – AD 43) and earlier. We can see that people had settled here by the Iron Age, but don’t know if anyone lived in this exact spot before then.

Transitional phase

This map shows the change from Iron Age to growing Roman influence on the settlement. We mainly see this change in new technologies and access to goods from the rest of the Roman empire.

Roman period

This map shows how the settlement continues to change and develop in the later part of the Roman period. By this point, people have lived here in practically the same spot at different times over hundreds of years.

Iron Age finds

This farmstead is one of several similar settlements that existed all across this area. This map shows one of these settlements, which was excavated 2021-2022. It also spans from the Iron Age into the Roman period, with evidence of people in the area even earlier.

Roman finds

Highways to the past podcasts

Ever wondered how archaeologists know where to dig? What’s it like working on an archaeological site? How do they know what life was like thousands of years ago?

Find out the answers on our podcasts 'Highways to the Past' from the experts at the Museum of London Archaeology.

Highways to the Past

Learning packs

Discover archaeology home learning pack

MOLA has developed a new home learning pack for kids (and big kids!), inspired by fascinating discoveries on the A428.

The learning pack brings archaeology to life through a series of exciting and engaging activities for children working at Key Stage 2 level.

You can read more about our fascinating archaeological finds and their significance in our blogs...

Local wine and touchscreen tablets: fascinating finds on the A428

July 2023 - Read about the archaeological discoveries on the A428 that are helping experts understand life throughout British history…

Waterlogged wood

January 2023 - Excavations have thrown up some incredibly rare archaeological finds on the A428...

Animal bones on the A428

December 2022 - Archaeologists at Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) have found evidence of a huge communal feast at the Iron Age farmstead they are excavating as part of our A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet improvements!

Why do you need archaeologists when you're building a road?

November 2022 - Before construction on our A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet improvements can begin, we work with archaeologists to carry out investigations along the proposed route.

The Return of the Dig

October 2022 - We’re back doing more digging!! Archaeologists from the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) have been breaking new ground! Over the next few months MOLA will be digging into the past of Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire - join us on this incredible journey of discovery!

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