ANCIENT remains dating back 2,000 years and spanning multiple phases of human history have been discovered during an archaeological dig in County Durham.

Archaeologists were called in by landowners W and M Thompson Quarries to carry out investigations at the site at Bishop Middleham Quarry, near Sedgefield, in July.

During an eight-week inquiry, which finished at the end of August, the team found evidence of human occupation from the late prehistoric, Roman and medieval periods.

Rupert Lotherington, who has been directing excavations on the site, said: “The project at Bishop Middleham Quarry has provided a tantalising glimpse of agricultural life among Roman rural populations inhabiting the County Durham area 2,000 years ago.”

Prompted by an earlier geophysical survey and trial trenching exercise which revealed evidence for past human activity on the site, Archaeological Research Services were commissioned to carry out the latest investigation.

The late Iron Age to Roman period discoveries date back approximately 2,000 years.

They include a ten metre diameter post-built roundhouse with a nearby six-post timber granary, a pair of livestock pens as well as an east to west aligned banked ditch which archaeologists believe probably formed part of a wider agricultural field system for separating pasturing of sheep or cattle and areas of crop production.

But the most exciting and unexpected discovery for the archaeologists was material leading to the identification of a small medieval cemetery containing eleven rock-cut burials.

Although the graves were aligned east to west, some of the bodies were arranged in crouched positions.

The team believe this potentially represents a continuation of pagan burial practices occurring alongside the early adoption of Christian beliefs and practices.

Mr Lotherington added: “The discovery of an early medieval cemetery has provided a rare opportunity to explore the burial rites practised by some of the earliest Christian communities to inhabit North-East England.”

The area is rich in archaeological remains and numerous prehistoric, Roman and medieval finds have been made in recent years.

The archaeological fieldwork on this part of the quarry has now been completed.

Once the material from the investigation has been analysed and radiocarbon dates have been obtained, all of the findings from the excavation will be compiled into a report.

The findings report will then be available for the public to view online at archaeologydataservice.ac.uk

A talk will also be given by Archaeological Research Services on behalf of W & M Thompson Quarries.