Ancient Artefacts Unearthed Along East Leeds Orbital Route

Discoveries span over 6,000 years of Leeds history

During the construction of the East Leeds Orbital Route (ELOR), a major transport project in Leeds, a significant collection of ancient artefacts has been uncovered and preserved. These finds, which date from the Early Neolithic period to the 19th century, provide a broad historical insight into the area’s past and are now housed at the Leeds Discovery Centre.

Archaeological work and key discoveries

Leeds City Council commissioned Wessex Archaeology to conduct detailed surveys and excavations along the seven-kilometre ELOR route. Their work aimed to identify sites of historical importance and ensure that any artefacts were carefully collected and assessed. The discoveries include:

• An Early Neolithic flint arrowhead, approximately 6,000 years old, showing clear knapping marks from its original manufacture.
• A Bronze Age flat axe head made of bronze alloy, believed to be over 4,000 years old.
• A dark blue glass bead dating from the Late Roman period.
• Pottery fragments predating the Norman Conquest.
• A Post-Medieval buckle.
• Remains linked to the abandoned medieval village of Morwick.
• An 18th-century pair of nutcrackers.
• A clay pipe bowl featuring a carved figure of Britannia, thought to date from around the 1840s.

Significance of the findings

The collection offers a unique snapshot of the diverse communities that have lived in this part of Leeds over millennia. The artefacts contribute to a growing archive that helps to document the city’s rich heritage and the historical landscape beneath the modern urban environment.

Kat Baxter, curator of archaeology at Leeds Museums and Galleries, highlighted the importance of the archive, stating that it provides insight into the lives of people from the Stone Age through to the Medieval period. She emphasised the value of preserving such collections for future generations.

Ashley Tuck, research manager at Wessex Archaeology, noted the collaborative nature of the project, involving specialists from various fields. He indicated that the final results of the archaeological work are expected to be published later in 2026.

Leeds Discovery Centre and public access

The Leeds Discovery Centre, a modern storage and visitor facility, now houses the East Leeds Orbital Route archive along with other archaeological collections from across Leeds. The centre supports exhibitions, educational activities, and research, contributing to an ongoing record of the city’s history.

A selection of the artefacts from the ELOR project is planned to go on display at the centre in spring 2026. The centre offers pre-booked public tours and operates on a “Give What You Can” basis, inviting donations to support its work.

For further information about visiting the Leeds Discovery Centre, see the official website.