Ancient history revealed at Kingsmead Quarry

Archaeological finds at CEMEX UK’s Kingsmead sand and gravel quarry, near Horton, in Berkshire, have revealed a hidden history of the area stretching back 10,000 years to the end of the last Ice Age.

Among the key discoveries are flint tools, arrowheads, a bronze and leather working tool, broken pottery and evidence of the first farmers at Horton.

The finds were unearthed by Wessex Archaeology during the initial phase of archaeological investigations at the site and form part of ongoing mineral extraction developments at Kingsmead, aimed at ensuring a continued supply of materials to construction markets in west London, Berkshire and Surrey.

CEMEX plan to invest £5 million in further archaeological investigations as mineral extraction progresses, and another £3 million is being spent on new aggregate processing and ready-mixed concrete production facilities at the 40ha site, which is expected to yield 2.5 million tonnes of sand and gravel over a 10-year period.

A spokesperson for CEMEX said the finds reflected the scale of general changes in society around the rivers Colne and Thames over the centuries, and illustrated how quarrying could make a positive contribution to society beyond the provision of building materials.