EXPERTS have uncovered evidence of Iron Age houses and pottery dating from about 100BC to 100AD at a North-East development.

Residents at the Newcastle Great Park development are learning about Iron Age history after the latest archaeological work on the site uncovered evidence of an ancient settlement.

Artefacts of significant interest have been found since the works began more than two years ago, but the latest area to be examined is creating lots of interest.

Steve Speak, senior keeper of field archaeology at Tyne and Wear Museums, said: "This site, which is south of the new Sage development, has produced not only pottery but also quern stones which were used to grind wheat.

"The settlement shows three phases of occupation over a period of about 75 years.

"We know this because our calculations show that a house would last around 25 years before it started to deteriorate and needed to be built again."

Drawings of the site show a large round house approximately ten metres in diameter surrounded by an enclosure which was likely to be used to keep livestock.

Also featured are the remains of houses from previous phases of occupation along with ditches used for drainage and the disposal of waste.

The county archaeologist is deciding on the scope of a full excavation of the site. When completed, the £800m development will provide a community with infrastructure, educational facilities, shops, health centres, hotel and leisure and public transport system.