Skellingthorpe

A small paleolith found in gravel was presented to the British Museum in 1922, hinting at the presence of some ancient tribe. An ancient hand-axe was reported as being discovered in gravel ballast during the construction of the railway line in 1897. The area was marsh and woodland at the time of the Romans and there is no evidence of a permanent settlement by ancient Britons, although it is possible that nomadic forest or swamp dwellers occasionally passed through. Roman engineers excavating what is now the Foss Dyke were in the vicinity as evidenced by a Roman bowl found in the parish. Other Roman-era discoveries include a copper alloy bell found in Main Drain, and 13 coins (dated to the…