FASCINATING finds from archaeological excavations along a stretch of major roadworks have shed new light on life in Roman Britain.

Ancient shoes, a rare silver ring, a plumb bob used to build straight roads and a never-seen-before elaborately carved amber figurine are among thousands of objects found as part of the A1 upgrade from Leeming to Barton in North Yorkshire.

The Northern Echo: A silver ring shaped like a snake which wraps around the finger, also found in Catterick. This is a rare find and like the amber figure, it hints at the great wealth of the people who lived here. © Northern Archaeological Associates

FIND: A silver ring shaped like a snake which wraps around the finger, also found in Catterick. Picture: Northern Archaeological Associates

As well as individual objects, the work has also revealed a major Roman settlement at Scotch Corner which suggests that the Romans came to northern England earlier than previously thought.

It pre-dates settlements uncovered in York and Carlisle by ten years and is unusually large for the north of England - stretching over 1.4km from north to south which is roughly the size of 13 football pitches.

The discoveries are giving a new insight into Roman life in Northern England and hint at a far more sophisticated industrial and administrative centre in Yorkshire than had previously been known about.

Finds such as a silver ring shaped like a snake uncovered at Catterick and an amber figurine found at Scotch Corner also indicate the great wealth of the people who lived there.

The extensive excavations have been carried out by Northern Archaeological Associates, on the advice of Historic England’s experts.

They are excavating sites along the £380 million Highways England scheme to upgrade the existing A1 dual carriageway with a new three-lane motorway.

Highways England project manager, Tom Howard said: “Throughout this project we have been working alongside archaeologists as we make this major improvement to one of the UK’s most historic roads.

“It is fascinating to discover that nearly 2,000 years ago the Romans were using the A1 route as a major road of strategic importance and using the very latest technological innovations from that period to construct the original road – the very same thing that Highways England is doing today.”

Neil Redfern, principal inspector of ancient monuments at Historic England added: “The sheer amount of exceptional objects found on this road scheme has been extraordinary.

"Through them we are learning more and more about life here in the Roman period.

“This project has given us a unique opportunity to understand how the Romans conducted their military expansion into Northern England and how civil life changed under their control.”