Ancient settlements from the Iron Age have been found by the side of a major road development in England. Archaeologists were called in to survey the A66 in North Yorkshire to ensure nothing valuable would be destroyed. Their work has now uncovered the remains of a roundhouse, square buildings, ditches and pits by the Melsonby crossroads, by Scotch Corner. The finds are thought to link to a larger settlement which would have been on the other side of the road.
     The Highways Agency wants to upgrade the section of road, between Scotch Corner and Carkin Moor, from a single to dual carriageway.
The project is expected to cost £22m and should be finished by the end of the year. Highways Agency project manager Lynne Biddles said: "It's fantastic that we've been able to uncover all these settlements and artefacts ahead of these schemes. "We can now piece together the history of this area and preserve it for the wider community to enjoy."

Source: BBC News (31 January 2007)