Anchor found off coast of Scotland ‘may date back to Roman times’

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy An anchor discovered during survey works for an offshore wind farm could date from Roman times. The 100kg wrought iron anchor, which is more than two metres long, was discovered during works for ScottishPower Renewables’ East Anglia ONE offshore wind farm. open image in gallery An anchor discovered during survey works for ScottishPower Renewables’ East Anglia ONE offshore windfarm ) “We believe this find could be the oldest and one of the largest surviving examples, giving us hard evidence of the incredible amount of activity that must have been going on in the waters in Roman times, but that we know relatively little about. Ross Ovens, ScottishPower Renewables’ managing director – East Anglia Hub – said: “Our East Anglia ONE wind farm has proven to be an archaeological treasure trove – both onshore and offshore – and this latest find shows that it just keeps giving.” Stuart Churchley, Historic England marine planning archaeological officer, said: “The discovery of such a potentially significant anchor of this date, among the vast seafloor expanse of the southern North Sea, is testament to the careful and methodical steps taken by the East Anglia ONE project.” Councillor Carole Jones, Ipswich Borough Council portfolio holder for Ipswich Museums, said the anchor will only be available for visitors to “get a first peek” on Tuesday, before it is taken away for conservation work ahead of returning permanently to the collection in 2025.