Excavators look for buried historical treasures

RAF MILDENHALL, England – Mike Feider, Suffolk County Council archaeology service, marks global positioning satellite coordinates as part of an exploratory dig to see if artifacts are in the area. British law states that an exploratory excavation must be carried out before construction can be done in an area to help preserve historic heritage. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher L. Ingersoll)

Excavators look for buried historical treasures

RAF MILDENHALL, England – Robert Brooks and Mike Feider, Suffolk County Council archaeology service, oversee an exploratory archaeological March 26. Long trenches are dug to remove topsoil so that excavators can see if further excavation is needed. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher L. Ingersoll)

Excavators look for buried historical treasures

Published April 2, 2010
By Staff Sgt. Christopher L. Ingersoll
100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

RAF MILDENHALL, England -- As the 100th Civil Engineer Squadron prepares to make an expansion of the base in Fiscal 2011, certain steps have to be taken because of the base's unique location.

At the southern end of the runway just outside the fence, archeological excavators are doing a preliminary dig to see if there are any ancient relics.

According to the archeologists working at the site, the area around Mildenhall is well-known for its historic artifacts.

"There have been several finds in this area dating back to mostly the Roman era, which goes back to about 750 BC, as well as the Saxon era which started in 600 AD," said Robert Brooks, Suffolk County Council Archeological Service. "Some of the artifacts have even been found on the base."

Among some of the artifacts of the area is the Mildenhall Treasure.

"The Mildenhall Treasure was discovered around here in the 1940s, which is a collection of 34 Roman silver objects," said Mark Howell, 100th Air Refueling Wing historian. "When most folks think of the history around here they think about World War II, but this area has a lot of rich history that goes back much further."

One of the historic figures if this area was the Queen of Brittanic Iceni tribe of East Anglia.

"Boudicca was a queen who would have been well known by the Romans who occupied Britain during the first century AD," said Mr. Howell. "After she was flogged and her daughters were raped, Boudicca led a revolt against the Romans that lead to the death of tens of thousands."

With the possibility of priceless historical treasures lying under any farmers field, the British Department of the Environment mandates that there be a preliminary search to make sure and preserve their heritage.