News by Levels · Level 3 · Student worksheet

Waterlogged Wells Preserve Ancient Building Techniques

In this lesson: Check the scope of a dating result and separate evidence from planned analysis.

Name: __________________________ Date: __________________

Read the story

Archaeologists uncovered five wooden wells ahead of pipeline construction in Hampshire. Radiocarbon dating places one well between 719 and 396 BC; this range does not date all five.

One hollow-log well had been repaired with a wooden shovel blade. A Roman well instead used planks and stakes.

Researchers hope tree-ring analysis will date the Roman timbers more precisely. That work remains in progress.

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 does the radiocarbon range establish?

   1. The date of every well at the site
   2. A date range for one well only
   3. The date when the modern pipe was built

2. Which statement about the Roman timber dating is supported?

   1. Tree-ring analysis has already supplied a precise date.
   2. Researchers have stopped trying to date the timbers.
   3. A more precise date is a research goal still being pursued.

Your turn

Give one detail showing how a well was repaired and one question that further analysis may answer.

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Read online: https://newsbylevels.com/news/hampshire-wooden-wells-iron-age-roman-november-2026/level-3/