News by Levels · Level 1 · Student worksheet

Five Old Wells Found in England

In this lesson: Identify the discovery and explain why the wood survived.

Name: __________________________ Date: __________________

Read the story

Archaeologists found five wooden wells near Southampton, England. They were digging before work on a new water pipe. UCL announced the discovery on November 5.

The wells collected water from a natural spring. Wet ground with little oxygen kept the wood from rotting.

The team is still studying the wood. Some pieces have marks made by axes.

Source: UCL Archaeology South-East; Petersfield Online, 2026-11-05. https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2026/nov/ancient-water-source-found-during-modern-pipeline-excavations

Read and practise

1. What did the archaeologists find?

   1. Five wooden wells
   2. Five new water pipes
   3. Five stone houses

2. Why did the wood not rot?

   1. The ground was very dry.
   2. The wet ground had little oxygen.
   3. The team had already replaced it.

Your turn

Say where the wells were found and name one detail the team can study in the wood.

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Read online: https://newsbylevels.com/news/hampshire-wooden-wells-iron-age-roman-november-2026/level-1/