THE intriguing possibility of discovering more evidence that the ancient roots of the Forest of Dean date back to pre-Roman times is a very real prospect says leading local historian Stephen Clarke.

Mr Clarke, of Monmouth, a professional archaeologist for 30 years, believes that hidden beneath the tree canopy there are almost certain to be Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age settlements still waiting to be revealed.

He says the western flank of the Forest once abutted a huge lake on the shores of which early man established settlements some of which have now been revealed by archaeology carried out on building sites.

He says: “The most exciting results are features on the shore of the lake which are interpreted as being evidence of Bronze Age boat building, while nearby a Stone Age crannog (an artificial island) was set in the bed of the lake — only the second to be found in England and Wales but 4,000 years older than the first.”

Mr Clarke will reveal some of the findings to Forest of Dean History Society members at their December meeting being held at the West Dean Centre, Bream on Saturday (3pm).

Following the Ice Age, the lake formed in the bowl of Monmouth and soon attracted hunter-gatherers who set up camp sites.

Later, New Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age settlements were established.

Radiocarbon dating and other evidence shows that the lake survived at least until the late Iron Age and may well have been drained by the Romans.

Visitors are welcome at Saturday’s meeting.