EXPERTS are piecing together the lives of people who lived over 2,000 years ago, close to one of the region's busiest road junctions.

They are studying the stonework of six ancient houses uncovered at Scotch Corner, along with objects found there and on another site a few miles away.

Archaeologists say they have already learned a lot from the relics discovered during preparation work to turn the A66 road into a dual carriageway on stretches between Scotch Corner and Greta Bridge.

Among the pieces found near Sedbury Home Farm is a small silver christening spoon, still in good condition despite being up to 400-years old.

This and other valuable finds will be donated to local museums and displayed, along with explanations of each site, once the experts have completed their studies.

Thousands of travellers who pass the Scotch Corner junction of the A1 and A66 every day have had no idea that so much history, dating back to the Iron Age, lay just below the surface in nearby fields.

Lynne Biddles, project manager for the Highways Agency, said: "We can now piece together the history of this area and preserve it for the wider community to enjoy."

The finds are a sideline to the main purpose of the scheme, which is to make the A66 safer after many deaths and serious injuries from crashes on its single-carriageway stretches.

The work has made it possible to do the first excavations in modern times on Scots Dyke, a large bank and ditch which runs for 14km, thought to be 1,000 years older than previously believed.

The main Scotch Corner settlement was in a field over the A66 from the Ledbury layby, which has a refreshment stand and is a popular stopping place for drivers.

Other sites are on different sides of the Melsonby crossroads. Features include a circular house, square structure, pits and field ditches. These are thought to be associated with a larger settlement on the other side of the A66 near Rock Castle Farm.