Drought exposes Bronze Age villages at Devon reservoir

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 08:56 · Archive

Remains of Bronze Age stone huts have emerged at Fernworthy Reservoir in Devon after summer heatwaves caused water levels to drop to 30 per cent capacity.

Summer heatwaves have caused water levels at Fernworthy Reservoir in Devon to drop to just 30 per cent of capacity, revealing the remains of prehistoric villages beneath. The exposed remains include Bronze Age stone roundhouses dating back approximately 4,000 years, visible as circles of stones lying on parched soil.

Humans are known to have inhabited the area around Dartmoor since at least 2300BC. Many of the Bronze Age settlements were abandoned around 1000BC, though human activity in the region continued: archaeologists have found coins dated to 1540. The reservoir itself was constructed between 1936 and 1942, submerging the archaeological remains under 380 million gallons of water.

The drought at Fernworthy is part of a wider water crisis across the UK. Reservoir levels across the country are about 20 per cent lower than they should be for the time of year. The Environment Agency monitors 31 reservoirs or reservoir groups, of which twelve are currently less than half full and eight are classed as exceptionally low. Officials say it will take months of sustained wet weather to fully recharge groundwater levels.

How it is being reported

• Drought exposes Bronze Age villages in shrinking reservoirRoundhouses discovered under the reservoir date back 4,000 years agoThe Independent · 13 Oct, 08:41
• Reservoir dries up revealing impressive prehistoric villagesAs the water level dropped, remains and imprints of Bronze Age stone huts can be seen in the earth.Metro · 11 Oct, 13:10

In this story: Fernworthy Reservoir · Devon · Dartmoor · Environment Agency

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