2019 Mesolithic Pit in HRN3206 Open Area Excavation

Four Mesolithic (~9600 - 4000 BC) pits have been found in the open area excavation by Albion Archaeology in the HRN3206, part of the HRN1 housing development in north Houghton Regis.

The pits have been dated by radiocarbon determination to the late Mesolithic.  Bones found in the pit originated from an Orox (Aurochs), which were not found in the British Isles after the Bronze Age but did continue to live on continental Europe for longer. The Orox is a wild Ox which became officially extinct in 1627.

There were, prior to this discovery, only four other large Mesolithic pits found in England. 24 have now been found in Houghton Regis, including those found by MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology) on adjacent land.

This is the largest concentration ever found in England and Wales, mostly clustered around  channels and springs.

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