Rare Neolthic Find Near Leiston

Wednesday, 15 July 2026 09:00

A rare Neolithic monument dating back nearly 5,800 years has been uncovered during archaeological excavations at the Sizewell C development near Leiston.

Archaeologists from Oxford Cotswold Archaeology discovered a long enclosure measuring around 50 metres by 20 metres while carrying out investigations ahead of construction work on the new nuclear power station.

The rectangular earthwork, made up of a large ditch and bank, is believed to have been built around 3800 BC by some of Britain's earliest farming communities. Researchers think it was used for ceremonial or communal purposes rather than as a burial monument.

Although the enclosure had almost disappeared after thousands of years of erosion, archaeologists were able to identify it through careful excavation and scientific dating techniques.

Using optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating, specialists determined when the sediments were last exposed to sunlight, confirming the monument's Early to Middle Neolithic origins. The results also suggest it remained a visible feature in the landscape for centuries afterwards.

Excavations uncovered a small collection of Neolithic pottery and worked flint, adding to evidence of early human activity in the area.

Researchers say the discovery adds significantly to understanding of the prehistoric landscape around Sizewell and Leiston and highlights the growing importance of advanced scientific techniques in uncovering and dating ancient sites that have left only faint traces beneath the soil.