Prehistoric and Roman remains are expected to be unearthed in Haverhill during a historic dig.
The archaeological dig will take place in the summer at the Haverhill Research Park before a £100 million development is built on the site.
It is hoped the work will unearth important artefacts from farming communities living in the area more than 2,000 years ago.
Joe Abrams, regional manager of Headland Archaeology, which is carrying out the investigation, said: “This is a welcome opportunity to reveal and investigate the remains of both prehistoric and Roman farming communities.
“Our research focus will be sensitive to the exact remains revealed at the site, and is expected to include the changes which took place as a result of the Roman Conquest and also those which came with the disintegration of that empire and the economy which survived within it.
“We believe the remains at Haverhill span both of these crucial changes, allowing us to tell the story of a Suffolk farming community on a local level and to reflect on how these major national/international events affected their way of life.”
The site will then be handed over to Carisbrooke Investments, which has been given planning permission to build 450,000 square foot of research and business space, 150 new homes, a hotel, restaurant and a day nursery at the site.
Nic Rumsey, director of Carisbrooke Developments, said: “While we are involved in the future economic growth of Haverhill, we are, of course, keen to participate in discovering the archaeology of the site and this is the means whereby we are able to extend our knowledge of human history beyond the limits of written records.”