BUILDERS in a Worcestershire village were stunned to find a haul of Saxon and Roman artefacts.

Heritage workers from Rubicon Heritage were brought in to check over the Kendrick Homes development at Parsons Grove, Sedgeberrow after signs of historical structures were found during the initial build.

Working in partnership with Wychavon and Malvern Hills District Council, the family firm halted work immediately to allow experts to undertake the project, which found ditches, occupation features, pits, structures and human remains dating back more than three to five centuries.

There were also two corn driers discovered, a mix of Roman and Anglo-Saxon pottery and, interestingly, two burials, with one of them revealing the head placed by the feet of the skeleton.

This was quite common in Roman burials and various historical myths range from suggesting the death of a wrong doer or the burial rite of a gladiator.

All artefacts and samples from the excavation will be stored at the offices of Rubicon Heritage and at Hartlebury Museum, whilst a mini monument and has been created at the entrance to the estate, showing historical details and photos of what was found.

Adam Cadman, marketing manager from Kendrick Homes, said: “This was the first time we have been part of an archaeological dig for more than a century and we were pleased to help local experts uncover and preserve important artefacts from Sedgeberrow’s past.

“All of our developments are designed and built with the interests of the local area firmly in mind and, where we can, we always try to incorporate some of the history in the homes we are creating.

“Parsons Grove has gone one stage further and we’ve marked the ‘find’ with a special monument that will become a real point of local interest for years to come.”

Sedgeberrow is an ancient manor. In 777 AD, King Offa of Mercia granted 'Segcgesbearuue' or 'Secgesbearuue' to King Ealdred, of Hwicce, which was part of the Kingdom of Mercia.

Ealdred in turn granted Sedgeberrow to the Bishop of Worcester.

In 1086 the Domesday Book recorded that 'Seggesbarwe' was held by the monks of Worcester Priory.