Digging Deep into the A14 Excavation

For anyone seeking an in-depth exploration of the past, the University of St Andrews Archaeological Society's monthly talks offer a fantastic opportunity to explore new insights from the world of archaeology. The evening of Thursday 13 March was no exception. Dr. Alex Smith, Head of post-excavation at Headland Archaeology, captivated his audience through a presentation on the A14 excavation in Cambridgeshire — an intensive project spanning 21 kilometres of road from 2016 to 2022, and uncovering over 6,000 years of history.

Held in the School 1 lecture hall, it attracted a varied audience, including many local residents with a passion for history, alongside a handful of St Andrews students. Over the course of the hour, Dr. Smith shared the findings from one of the largest archaeological digs in British history, with the audience eager to engage further during the lively Q&A that followed.

Dr. Smith offered an in-depth look at the A14 excavation by detailing how 250 archaeologists were involved in unearthing over 280,000 artefacts, and how its unprecedented scale provided new insights into the UK’s past. It reveals ancient landscapes, agricultural practices, and the development of human settlements in this part of Britain.

The most captivating moment came as he unveiled some of the shockingly unusual findings from the excavation. The audience was intrigued by tales of creatures such as mammoths, woolly rhinos, bison, and reindeer, whose remains were discovered during the dig. One standout was an Iron Age human skull comb — an unsettling, yet thought-provoking, artefact. While its precise function remains unclear, the comb offers valuable insight into the rituals and beliefs of Iron Age Britain, particularly about how human remains were treated and sometimes modified. Objects like this, made from human bone, may have been used in ceremonial practices or repurposed as everyday tools.

Dr. Smith’s presentation spanned multiple historical periods, taking us on a chronological journey from the Neolithic to the Medieval era. Each time frame offered its unique treasures, including the Offord Cluny Burial — a Roman-era find known for its connection to the Samaritan Confederacy. This burial tracked the life journey of an individual who had traveled from the eastern Mediterranean to their final resting place in Cambridgeshire, highlighting the extraordinary mobility and cultural exchange of the time. Another remarkable find was a Saxon reed pipe, which Dr. Smith brought to life in a captivating video, giving the audience a rare glimpse of how it would have sounded in its time.

Dr. Smith deconstructed the cutting-edge techniques used to analyse the artefacts. The methodologies employed in the excavation were just as intriguing, including isotope analysis to study the animal, plant, and human remains. Alongside scientific analysis of pottery fragments and radiocarbon dating, a broad range of ancient DNA (aDNA) techniques were used to determine the age of organic materials. It was clear that these technologies are playing an increasingly vital role in uncovering the complex connections between ancient cultures, their environments, and the evolving human story.

Overall, Dr. Smith made sure the findings of the A14 excavation were presented in a way that was accessible to everyone in the audience. He used clear, concise explanations and supported his points with a range of audio-visuals, especially when diving into more complex procedures. His charismatic delivery, complete with light-hearted jokes and relatable references, ensured that the talk was both informative and enjoyable, regardless of the audience's familiarity with the subject.

As it concluded, Dr. Smith welcomed an engaging Q&A where he eagerly expanded on specific findings, like the reed pipe and human skull comb. One question delved into how they had chosen the excavation site, to which Dr. Smith explained the years of preparation and research that ensured the area would yield significant discoveries. By the end of the evening, the crowd left the lecture hall buzzing with newfound knowledge and a greater appreciation for the depth and breadth of the archaeological work being done right here in the UK.

Illustration by Bethany Morton