A NORTH Yorkshire primary school created it's own mini-musuem out of a wealth of artefacts found by archaeologists under their school.

When Norton Community Primary School expandad into additional premises, archaeologists discovered a range of important artefacts relating to Roman Norton and Malton.

The town was the location of a large Roman fort and Roman settlement which expanded around it.

The artefacts included an unusually complete Roman cremation burial, known as a bustum, where the remains of the body were left undisturbed in the ashes of the funural pyre.

Archaeologists discovered that the person cremated had been a second to third-century Roman soldier who was presumably stationed at the nearby fort at Malton.

Another discovery was a burial containing two goose heads, the reason of which remains unclear to archaeologists.

Other finds included jet jewellery, complete copper bracelets and fragements of ceramic cockerel.

The excavation, carried out by JB Archaeologists, also uncovered tracesof a number of stone buildings, including a corn drier and malting oven.

The most valuable and significant finds have been recorded and deposited at Malton Museum, but there is still a variety of other Roman material for school children to explore.

North Yorkshire County Council shared some of these finds with local primary schools by producing education boxes tailored for seven to 11-year-olds.

The education boxes created by JB Archaeology, who undertook the excavation at Brooklyn House, contain examples of different types of pottery and examples of amphorae, used for importing wine or oil from spain.

They also included material from local potteries and animal bones which reveal the types of food availabel to the people of Romon Norton.

Information packs were also included which provide schools with information on life in Roman Malton and Norton.

Headteacher, Liz Parker, said: "The Year 4 children have really enjoyed seeing the artefacts and decided that they should make a museum to present them in. 

“They spent time researching facts and making posters to advertise their museum for visitors from the rest of the school.  It really brought the topic of Romans alive and made it even more special to know that the artefacts came from the grounds of their own school.

“With all the restrictions put upon schools and children this year, it was a welcome change to be able to visit the Museum and take part in educational activities to bring their learning alive.”