By Steph Johnson

Last updated at 11:49, Saturday, 15 November 2008

A Roman settlement has been unearthed near Penrith by workman preparing the ground for a sewage pipe.

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The civilian vicus, which is thought to date back to the first century AD, was discovered on agricultural land in Brougham close to the A66.

Experts have declared the site is of national significance.

Archeologists uncovered the remains of two timber buildings, cobbled lanes, three stone buildings and a rare Grubenhauser – a sunken feature building from the early medieval period.

It would have been populated by the unofficial wives and children of soldiers plus traders and crafts people.

The archeologists were called in by United Utilities when the firm began excavations for the 7km Hackthorpe Penrith pipe.

Alison Plummer, from Oxford Archaeology, led an 18-strong team for the dig, paid for by United Utilities.

Apart from gaining knowledge of the layout of the settlement, they found a number of artifacts which gave them hints as to what life may have been like for those who lived there.

Beautiful and ornate jewellery indicated that the women were of considerable high social standing.

Pottery gaming counters and drinking vessels offered suggestions as to how the hours where whiled away.

Ms Plummer said: “The pipeline route is close to an existing Roman fort and graveyard, so we knew there was the chance of a significant find.

“Within days of removing the topsoil it was clear that we had hit upon something very important indeed.

“The discovery offers some enticing clues as to how our ancestors spent the cold Cumbrian evenings.”

United Utilities spokesman Melvin Dawson added: “The ancient Romans were pioneers in sanitation, so it’s perhaps fitting that this discovery was made during a sewage pipeline project.

“Our environmental policy means that we are committed to funding archeological digs of this kind when important discoveries are made during our construction schemes.”

An exhibition of finds from the site will be held at Brougham Hall next Friday and Saturday, 10am to 4pm.

A local re-enactment society will provide centurions to guard the treasures.

First published at 08:58, Saturday, 15 November 2008
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk