A flint axe head was one of the finds. Picture courtesy Getty Images
Archaeological investigations at the site of the 2012 Olympic Park have located treasures including a 4,000-year-old flint axe head.
The project, run by the Museum of London and the Olympic Delivery Authority, has been the UK’s largest archaeological survey, with more than 140 trenches dug over the 2.5 square-kilometre park area.
The investigation team have discovered pieces dating back over the centuries showing that the site has been settled and used for thousands of years.
Four prehistoric skeletons buried around an area of Iron Age settlement, a Roman coin and river walls, medieval and Neolithic pottery, Second World War gun emplacements and a complete 19th century boat used for hunting wild fowl on the River Lea were also found.
Paralympian Ade Adepitan meets school children involved in the Discover archeology project launch
ODA Chairman John Armitt said: “It has been a huge logistical exercise to detail the past of the Olympic Park to enable the 'big build' of the venues and infrastructure to start on track.
“Archaeologists and local people have had the opportunity to learn more about the development of Lower Lea Valley and the people who have lived here for thousands of years before it is transformed for future generations.”
The Museum of London will be documenting all of the findings in a publication which is already expected to go into two volumes.
A Museum of London archaeologist shows some of the finds from the Olympic Park to school children involved in the Discover Archeology project launch. Picture courtesy Getty Images
Museum of London Archaeology Senior Archaeologist Kieron Tyler said: “As our analysis progresses, an exciting new story is beginning to emerge. We now know that the Olympic Park area was settled and utilised continuously from the prehistoric period onwards.
“These people lived and died here. This new story of the Lea Valley is London before London – a previously unknown London.”
More than 1,000 people living in the five Host Boroughs have already seen the finds first hand and learned the important past of the area through an archaeological programme of talks, community events and roadshows.
For more information visit www.london2012.com/discover or www.museumoflondon.org.uk/archaeology.
