Ancient finds hope on coastal dig

Archaeologists are mapping remains found on the Kent coast

Archaeologists have been called in to examine ancient remains along the route of a new sewerage pipeline in Kent.

Anglo Saxon and Bronze Age relics are expected to be found along the pipeline between Foreness Point at Margate and Weatherlees Hill near Sandwich.

One of the first sections being examined at North Down could reveal Anglo Saxon remains, teams from Wessex Archaeology believe.

A section at Cottington Road is likely to reveal a Bronze Age settlement.

Mapping and excavating

Southern Water's 11km (6.8 mile) twin pipeline is being laid later in the summer as part of an £80m scheme to clean up the sea off the Kent coast.

Archaeologists will monitor the topsoil as it is stripped from the route, then remove a further layer of soil, if required, to reveal any remains.

These will be mapped, excavated and recorded and any artefacts removed for cataloguing and conservation.

"Wessex Archaeology has been working with Southern Water on this project since 1996 and we are delighted to start mapping and excavating," said project manager Keith Jeffery.

He said the archaeologists would be working closely with the Trust for Thanet Archaeology.

The twin pipeline will be operational in 2007.

Waste water will be transferred from Foreness Point to a new treatment works at Weatherlees before being released 1.9km (1.18 miles) out to sea.