Roman grave found at water pipeline construction site

A 2,000-year-old coin was found during excavations

Archaeologists have unearthed a Roman grave and a 2,000-year-old coin on the route of a planned water pipeline.

The discoveries were made at the proposed Southern Water site in Hampshire.

Members of Wessex Archaeology have been carrying out the excavations before pipelines are installed between Andover, Otterbourne and Portsmouth.

The scheme is linked to plans for a new reservoir at Havant Thicket, the first to be built in England for 25 years.

Dr Nicola Meakins of Southern Water said: "Roman graves are not uncommon - when the Romans built roads, legionnaires who died were simply buried by the side of the road.

"Wessex Archology learns something new every time one is found, however.

"In this case the discovery of a 2,000-year-old coin helps us to understand what was happening in the area back then."

Southern Water declined to give the exact location of the discoveries but said they were made as ecologists and surveyors carried out assessments ahead of the pipeline work.

Dr Meakins added: "Whether it's the discovery of rare hazel dormouse habitat, badger setts or, as in this case, archaeological remains, a plan must be put in place to prevent or mitigate damage."

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