An independent archaeological dig in a Cheshire hamlet, near the Welsh border, has emerged as one of Britain's most important excavations. Experts working on farmland alongside the Duke of Westminster's Eaton estate at Poulton, south of Chester (England), have discovered evidence of human activity dating back 9,000 years. They have unearthed five Bronze Age burial mounds, two Roman buildings and a medieval chapel and cemetery, unique in the UK. The series of remarkable discoveries was made during excavations to find the lost Abbey of Poulton which once stood on the site near Pulford.
     For the past eight years archaeologist Mike Emery and his team of volunteers have unearthed the evidence. Mr Emery, who works alongside a team of 20 students from Liverpool and Nottingham Universities, said: "The discoveries we have made in that short time are remarkable. Everybody knows that Chester was an important part of the Roman Empire, but now we know there were thriving communities here many thousands of years before the city was settled."
     Computer scanning of the prehistoric mounds, will give a guide to how many cremated remains are on the site. Cheshire Police are also supporting the project and sharing information with the dig team. Mike's team has also been showing them how the shape of the landscape can help spot potential burial grounds.
     Mr Emery added "When I first came here in 1995 I had no idea the scale of this project would be so huge. This dig will be my only job for the next 20 years."

Source: Daily Post (20 August 2003)