Ancient artefacts from Triton Knoll go on public display

Archaeological surveys reveal bronze age and Roman finds
Finds give unique view of the Lincolnshire landscape
Educational hands-on sessions aimed at younger visitors.

Ancient artefacts spanning thousands of years are to be unveiled to the public in Lincolnshire, revealing a unique insight into the history of the local landscape.

Discoveries include a skeleton, Bronze Age axe head, Roman pottery, ancient farming tools and pieces of a musical instrument, and were unearthed as a result of detailed archaeological investigations for Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm, ready for the project’s onshore construction.

Many of the finds will go on display from Wednesday 26 June, with venues focused on communities near to the project’s onshore substation and the 57kms of onshore cable route, where the discoveries were made.

Three open days will take place, with the first happening on Wednesday 26 June in Boston, and focussed on the onshore substation area finds. Events continue on Monday 8 July in Frithville, and Tuesday 9 July in Burgh le Marsh, focused on the onshore cable area finds.

For younger visitors, there are also a number of fun, hands-on activities taking place, on 26 June and 8 July, which aim to introduce the world of archaeology.

Education fun

On 26 June, visitors can learn about excavation techniques and how archaeologists interpret the history behind their find. A detective game also teaches how ancient victims met their ends, using archaeological and skeletal evidence.
On 8 July, DigVentures will host a ‘Miracles to Medicine’ game, which teaches about ancient vs modern medicines, and features living leeches and slimy salves. There’s also a chance to learn how archaeologists make digital 3D models of historic monuments, and artefacts.

See below for more information

The main sessions are led by regional archaeological experts Allen Archaeology, along with members of the Triton Knoll project team including from J Murphy & Sons and Siemens Transmission and Distribution Limited.

Natasha Powers, Senior Manager at Allen Archaeology Ltd, said: “We have been investigating the archaeology of Lincolnshire for many years, and the opportunity to work with Triton Knoll, J Murphy & Sons and Siemens has enabled us to uncover a wealth of new information on how the Romans in particular used this landscape. We have some exciting archaeological finds including a Bronze Age axe head and pottery used to prepare and store food. We are looking forward to sharing some of the discoveries that give us an insight into how people in Lincolnshire used to live.”

A comprehensive programme of surveying and detailed archaeological excavations has been ongoing from early 2018, with fieldworks and studies of the finds continuing over the summer. Archaeologists are also continuing to work with the construction teams, offering ongoing guidance on preserving the region’s heritage.

Once uncovered, all the finds were removed to the Allen Archaeology offices, and carefully cleaned ready for study by specialists to help tell the story of the sites that have been found. The story will be told through a series of reports which will be deposited, along with a complete archive for the Triton Knoll Onshore Electrical System, at Lincoln museum where all archaeological works undertaken in the county are stored.

Triton Knoll is a state-of-the-art, 857MW offshore wind farm, consisting of 90 of the world’s most powerful turbines, and representing a significant investment in new UK energy infrastructure. Located 32km off the Lincolnshire coast, Triton Knoll is the largest offshore wind farm currently in construction by innogy and, once fully operational, will be capable generating renewable energy equivalent to the needs of over 800,000 typical UK households. ⁽¹⁾

Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm is owned by innogy (59%), J-Power (25%) and Kansai Electric Power (16%), with innogy managing the construction as well as the long term operation and maintenance works, on behalf of its project partners.

Where and when to visit, and what’s on.

Members of the public are welcome to the informal drop- events to meet the experts from the team, and find out about the archaeology on display at:

This event includes presentations, and is focused on finds made during the Triton Knoll Onshore Substation construction; various artefacts found at the site will be on display; includes a series of 3D images of how the area would have looked compared to modern day; presentations from archaeologists run repeatedly at 3.45pm, 4.30pm, 5.15pm and 6pm.

Allen Archaeology will host children’s interactive activities on a drop in basis. This will include sandpit-based digging activity (best suited to ages 6-12 yrs) and a Cluedo-style skeleton game (all ages). The objective is to introduce children to the science of archaeology and learn more about Roman ear finds.

Archaeologists and members of the construction team will be on hand to answers questions and explain more about their finds.

Drop-in information event, including information banners around the room, archaeology and project experts; visitors can read about and view the displays of archaeological finds on the islands of tables around the hall. There is no planned ‘formal’ presentation.

Digventures will run hands-on activities for children, teens and intrigued adults, with two activities available on a drop-in basis:

The ‘miracles to medicine’ group game lasts up to an hour, and is a choose-your-own-adventure style game, where kids are introduced to a character suffering from an illness or injury. They solve the mystery of their character’s illness and create a cure using common medieval herbal remedies. These characters include Roman and Early Medieval people.

Photogrammetry session, where you can create your own 3D model of a roman artefact. Game designers aren’t the only people who make digital 3D models – archaeologists, curators, and conservators do it too, using this technique. Photogrammetry is now one of the quickest and easiest ways for archaeologists to share their discoveries online, in 3D. Visitors of all ages are welcome to come and find out how!

Open to the public from 4pm-7pm. Visitors can wander in and out freely during this time and stay for as much or as little time as they like.

Media Contact

Mark Fleming, innogy / Triton Knoll / Senior Public Relations Officer / M: 07825 608096 / E: mark.fleming@tritonknoll.co.uk

(1) Energy Generation

It is estimated that the average annual generation expected at the site could be equivalent to the approximate domestic needs of an expected minimum of 800,000 average UK households.

Energy predicted to be generated by the proposal is derived using wind speeds monitored in the local area and correlated with long term reference data. The energy capture predicted and hence derived homes equivalent figure may change as further data are gathered.

Equivalent homes supplied is based on an annual electricity consumption per home of 4100 kWh. This figure is supported by recent domestic electricity consumption data available from The Digest of UK Energy Statistics and household figures from the UK National Statistics Authority."

Renewables at innogy

We plan, build and operate plants to generate power and extract energy from renewable sources. Part of our portfolio are wind and hydro power plants as well as solar and biomass plants. Currently, we are particularly strongly represented in our home market, Germany, followed by the United Kingdom, Spain, the Netherlands, Poland and Italy. Our aim is to expand renewables worldwide, both on our own and working with partners. We believe that working together in this way is the key to making the energy transition a success. innogy is one of the major operators of offshore and onshore wind energy in Europe. In addition to wind power, we also want to grow utility-scale solar power plant. In addition to our core markets, we are already active in new markets such as the USA, Australia and Canada.

Boston

Frithville

Burgh Le Marsh