ARCHAEOLOGISTS in Broadway have uncovered a unique Roman artefact that will take centre stage in a new series of BBC Two’s Digging for Britain.
An ongoing excavation at the Milestone Ground since 2024 has uncovered 8,000 years of human activity and thousands of items from the Mesolithic to the Saxon period.
A beautifully carved bone box, however, recovered from the grave of a young woman dating from the late Roman period has captured national attention and the eye of presenter Professor Alice Roberts.
Professor Alice Roberts (left), with Worcestershire Archaeology staff Laura Griffin and Jamie Wilkins. s
The highly decorated box currently has no parallel examples and offers significant new insight into the lives, beliefs and craftsmanship of the people who once occupied this corner of the north Cotswolds.
Carried out by Worcestershire Archaeology (part of Worcestershire County Council), the excavation was commissioned and funded by Wychavon District Council on land it owns ahead of planned development.
Jamie Wilkins, who led the excavation, described the discovery as ‘extraordinary’
He said: “Not only because of the box’s craftsmanship and condition, but because of the story it tells about the community that lived here.
“I had never seen anything like this object before, and it immediately became clear that we had uncovered something truly special.”
Late Roman bone box after cleaning by a conservator. s
The intricately decorated box was thought to date from the late Roman period, due to the style of decoration, a theory subsequently confirmed via radiocarbon dating of the associated burial.
A surprising discovery has more recently been made by specialists, who identified the box was crafted from Roe deer bone and may have held ointment.
Its deliberate placement within a grave indicates that it was a precious or sentimental object for the deceased and those who buried them.
While the bone box is the highlight of the excavation, archaeologists have also uncovered evidence of significant prehistoric, Roman and Saxon activity on the same site, emphasising Broadway’s long-term importance as a settlement on a major routeway across the Cotswolds escarpment.
Aerial view of the Roman cemetery during excavation at Milestone Ground in Broadway. s
A multi-year programme of specialist analysis is about to get underway, after which the site’s assemblage and records will be deposited with the county museum.
Councillor Emma Kearsey, Wychavon’s member for planning, infrastructure and urban design, said:
“The excavation at Milestone Ground is rewriting what we know about Broadway and Worcestershire’s past.
“The bone box in particular is a fascinating item and I’m pleased it is being featured on Digging for Britain so more people can share in the excitement of its discovery.
“The excavation has more secrets to reveal and we’re working with Worcestershire Archaeology and Broadway Museum to see how we can share the story of the site as locally as possible.”
The new series of Digging for Britain, presented by Professor Alice Roberts, starts tonight (Wednesday, January 7) at 9pm and each episode will be available on BBC iPlayer after it has aired.
