Archaeologists at Oxford Archaeology have uncovered an astonishingly well-preserved Roman-era well in Norfolk, England, that offers rare insight into the lives of people in Roman Britain some 2,000 years ago. What makes this find so striking is the well’s construction with such fine detail—its shaft is lined with delicately woven wicker, a fragile material that has only endured for centuries because of the waterlogged, oxygen-deprived conditions underground.
The well, within a larger Roman agrarian settlement being excavated, is one of several at the site. But it is unusual both in its construction and preservation. The wickerwork forms a type of enormous basket, anchored by vertical wooden supports. Large trunks of timber—perhaps discarded wood—were packed between the woven wall and the cut earth to support the shaft.
“It’s a beautifully preserved Roman well,” Oxford Archaeology wrote on Facebook on June 30, describing the find as “exciting archaeology.” The team has also produced an interactive 3D model of the revealed structure, which offers a close-up look at the weaving pattern and timber braces. The virtual model preserves and shares the details of the well without damaging the fragile materials.
In the well, archaeologists discovered traces of what could have been a wooden ladder. There is only one angled rail and one rung remaining, which is why experts are cautious about declaring it a part of a climbing aid that was used to draw water.
The discovery is not just a structural curiosity—it holds out the promise of uncovering further archaeological treasures. Roman wells are known to have long yielded a wide variety of objects, from domestic items to ritual offerings. Other Roman wells in Europe have yielded burnt bones, smashed pottery, glᴀss vessels, and pieces of marble—some accidentally lost, others intentionally deposited.
As excavation continues, researchers remain hopeful that more secrets may lie at the bottom of this ancient well. This finding not only contributes to the history of Roman engineering but also gives a richly human dimension to the story of rural British existence under Roman rule.
More information: Oxford Archaeology
