The first evidence of a Bronze Age settlement in Dewsbury has been uncovered at a sewage works in Earlsheaton (North Yorkshire, England). The dig, which is being carried out at the Mitchell Laithes water treatment works on Headland Lane, has uncovered a possible burial ground, called a barrow, and items thought to date back to Roman times. One item archaeologists uncovered was a pot thought to contain human ashes, which is believed to be about 3,500 years old. The dig is being carried out by archaeological company Northern Archeological Associates.
     Director Richard Fraser said: "Yorkshire Water wants to use this field to contain material that is going to become topsoil. This would impact on the archaeology so we have to take record before it is covered. West Yorkshire Archaeological Service had a record of there being some features in this field. That led us to do a survey to see if there was more than the crop marks displayed. It identified that there was a possible Bronze Age barrow or a Romano British settlement."
     Mr Fraser said carbon dating could be used to gain information about the individual's remains in the pot, such as their age and sex. He added: "This is the first evidence from the early prehistoric and Roman period in the lower Calder Valley area." A spokesman said the remains had been found in the storage rather than the construction area, so work would not be affected.

Source: Dewsbury Reporter (16 November 2007)