You can discover information about a pagan Saxon cemetery and settlement in Wolverton and a Neolithic to Saxon settlement in Broughton. Stands and displays from fieldwork groups and societies will be there, as will an artefact expert from the Portable Antiquities Scheme who will be on hand to identify any finds the public bring in.

The Portable Antiquities Scheme is a voluntary project to record archaeological objects found by members of the public in England and Wales. Every year many thousands of objects are discovered, many of these by metal-detector users, but also by people whilst out walking, gardening or going about their daily work. Such discoveries offer an important source for understanding our past.

Nick Crank, council archaeological officer, said “The heritage of the area is rich and varied stretching from the last Ice Age through to World War 2. Among the standing monuments are an Iron Age hill fort, Roman Town, Bronze Age burial mounds, castles, medieval moats and monastic earthworks and over one thousand listed buildings. We have many sites of special interest such as the Roman villa at Bancroft and the medieval village earthworks at Woughton-on-the-Green and Wolverton.”

Many digs in Milton Keynes are funded by developers as the growth of the city continues apace and over the past 10 years, hundreds of projects have been funded in this way. During this time a Roman cremation cemetery and village was discovered at Broughton and a monumental Bronze Age cemetery was unearthed at Gayhurst as well as the nationally important hoard of Bronze Age gold torcs and bracelets which are now in the British Museum. 

The council’s archaeological officers will be available to answer local history questions as well as give advice on how to research the area’s history using Milton Keynes Historic Environment Record database.

This database of archaeological sites and investigations within Milton Keynes is a collection of maps, plans, photographs and archaeological reports that can be consulted by archaeologists and individuals undertaking research into the history of the borough.

If you want to find out more about this event or find out more about local history, contact the council’s archaeological officer on 01908 254259 for further information or visit the website at http://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/archaeology/