Ancient artifacts have been discovered at the site of Eynsham Park and Ride. Excavations to build the site at the A40 Science Transit Park and Ride site have uncovered important artifacts that shed light on the rich history of the area.
A child’s cremation grave from the Early Bronze Age that was discovered in the area between Witney and Oxford contained a special eagle bone pin. The phalanx (toe bone) of what was probably a golden eagle was used to make the pin.
At the location, archaeologists also discovered signs of a Middle Iron Age settlement. Possible roundhouse structures, post-built houses, and likely livestock enclosures were among the features.
Councillor for Travel and Development Strategy for Oxfordshire County Council, Duncan Enright, said: “It is excellent that via these excavations we have increased our understanding of historical people of Oxfordshire. These findings emphasize the value of doing archaeological research as part of development projects.”
Project manager Cotswold Archaeology, Jo Barker, said: “Along with a moderate quantity of Iron Age pottery, the site produced a small assemblage of fired clay. Particularly interesting are one near-complete triangular object and fragments of a second, likely of similar form, which were recovered from the postholes associated with two of the roundhouses.”
According to Oxfordshire Live, the loomweights mentioned are employed on a vertical warp-weighted loom, and they indicate that there was textile production at the location. The find sheds light on how a tiny, nearby Iron Age farmstead was set up and used, possibly with a concentration on textile manufacture.
At Eynsham, the park and ride is now beginning to take shape. The 850-space facility is intended to reduce traffic on the A40 and offer consistent, dependable public transportation services into Oxford. It will be simple to get there from either direction on the A40 thanks to a new roundabout. When finished, it will provide parking spaces for electric vehicles, dedicated cycle storage, public restrooms, and 24-hour security.