ROMAN remains discovered at a housing development have described by an experts perhaps the most significant find in the region for over 50 years.

The claim was made by archaeologist Richard Cartlon, who unearthed them at a Newcastle City Council and Leazes Homes housing development in the Benwell area of the city.

When work on the new development it was no surprise when Roman remains were discovered. But what was surprising was the type and scale of what was found.

Although small-scale archaeological trenching was carried out before the building work began it was only when a local firm, the Archaeologist Practice, carried out a detailed excavation of the site as it was being prepared for build that the real importance of the find became apparent.

The Vicus, or civilian settlement, they found is located to the west and south of Condercum Fort and includes a number of open fronted buildings, cobbled surfaces and water channels indicating that this was the commercial or industrial area of the settlement.

What makes this site particularly special is that, unlike other vicus buildings excavated in Newcastle, these buildings were made of stone rather than timber.

One of the buildings has substantial buttresses indicating that it was probably a two storey warehouse – the first of its kind to be found in Newcastle.

As well as the buildings the archaeologists found coins and Roman pottery including an almost complete amphora, a vessel that was used to transport liquids such as wine and olive oil.

While the finds are still being analysed they are believed to date back to the second or third century and it is hoped they will improve our understanding of what life was like for people who living under Roman rule.

Keepmoat Regeneration, part of the ENGIE group, who are developing the site on behalf of the council and affordable housing provider Leazes Homes have resumed work on the site, which will comprise 32 new homes.

Councillor Kim McGuinness, the counci’s Cabinet Member for Culture and Communities said: ““We are working closely with the developers and archaeologist so the remains can be carefully examined and analysed.”