AN archaeologist who uncovered the secrets of an Iron Age settlement has had his work published in an archaeological journal.

Worcestershire County Council archaeologist Derek Hurst is one of just a handful of non-academics ever to have had his work published in the genre, which is usually reserved exclusively for university-based scholars.

His report, which has appeared in the Council for British Archaeology’s online journal Internet Archaeology thanks to funding from English Heritage, charts the excavation of a site at Blackstone, near Bewdley, which took place back in the 1970s.

It records how archaeologists discovered fragments of pottery indicating at the time of the main Iron Age occupation from the 2nd century into the 1st century BC, the dwellers operated sophisticated trading links.

Importantly, a substance called briquetage was also unearthed.

This coarse ceramic material was used in the process of extracting and trading salt, and its presence indicates strong ties with Droitwich Spa, which is well known for its historical salt production. “Not many pre-Roman sites have been excavated so it was really exciting to have the chance to work on this project which offers a snapshot into how our ancestors lived in the past,” said Mr Hurst.

“There are so many advantages of having such findings published in this cost-effective way which allows us to reach a far wider and diverse audience than ever before.

“Traditionally seen as something of a ‘closed book’, archaeology is becoming ever more flexible and accessible.”

Internet Archaeology editor Judith Winters said the entire project proved how archaeological thinking had changed over the past 40 years.

She said: “With publication costs being met by English Heritage, the article is now freely available online and will reach an audience way beyond it could ever have achieved in print.”

To read Mr Hurst’s report, visit intarch.co.uk.