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From Norfolk Now 27/06/03:
Archaeologists working on Norwich City's South Stand redevelopment have found new evidence that the site was inhabited more than 12,000 years ago – at least 2000 years earlier than first thought.
When several flint spanners were dug up they were found to belong to the Mesolithic era and were thought to be evidence of some of Norwich's first residents hunting and fishing on a small sand island in the middle of the River Wensum.
But in the last few days, archaeologists have made even more remarkable discoveries of flint tools dating back to the Palaeolithic era and believe it to be the first time material from the age has ever been excavated in the greater Norwich area.
The Mesolithic period literally means the middle stone age and goes back to 10,000 BC, while the Palaeolithic period, meaning old stone age, goes back even further, up to three million years ago.
Brian Ayers, county archaeologist with the Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service, said the finds were "marvellous".
"We thought they were going to be Mesolithic age but in fact they are from 10,000 BC and the Palaeolithic age," he said.
"Finds like these are pretty rare and the marvellous thing is they are being excavated under modern methods."
Mr Ayers said the finds added weight to the theory that primitive man hunted and fished on an island in the Wensum and described the weapons they used.
"It was a very good place for people to stay and hunt and they could hide amongst the reeds so they could stalk wildlife and other mammals," he said.
"It would be much more difficult for the animals to run away than if they were hunting in open fields.
"They are really large chunky flints which are quite primitive and very sharp.
"We've got evidence of actual activity that the people took flint there and fashioned tools from it.
"These finds are a good indication of the fact we've got a great modern city with a medieval city underneath and before that it was a rural landscape where people hunted and fished."
Archaeologists have been working at Carrow Road since the end of April as contractors wait to begin work on the club's new 8000 seater stand.
Fortunately for the football club, the new finds will not delay the archaeology unit and their work will be finished on schedule by July 4.
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