Iron Age and Roman remains found

Skeletal remains of three horses had no wounds or knife marks

Roman and Iron Age remains have been found on farmland in East Sussex being excavated as part of a project to lay a 7km (4.3 mile) water pipeline.

Iron Age pottery and a Roman underfloor heating tile are among artefacts found near Glynde.

Marks in the ground reveal the footprints of possible buildings and the layouts of trackways and ditches.

Archaeologists say the finds show the area was being farmed in the first centuries BC and AD.

The skeletal remains of three horses found in a pit had no obvious wounds or knife marks indicating they were used for food, so theories of a possible ritual burial are being considered.

Oyster shells

"The archaeologists have revealed a low-lying Iron Age/Roman settlement which has given us a fascinating insight into how this downland landscape was used thousands of years ago," said Graham Webb, South East Water development manager.

"This is unusual as such sites are more commonly found on the higher ridges of the South Downs."

Other artefacts found include a spindle whirl used for making thread and a wet stone used to sharpen iron tools.

Remains of mussel and oyster shells from food supplies have also been discovered.

All the finds are being removed from the site for further analysis.

South East Water is installing new sections of pipe to transfer water between underground boreholes at Newhaven and Barcombe water treatment works.

The underground pipelines will cross farmland between Glynde and Ringmer and also South Heighton and Tarring Neville.