Early Medieval settlement discovered during the A66 excavations
Date Written
6 July 2026
Join archaeologists on the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine Project as they uncover an early medieval settlement near Kirkby Thore, Cumbria. Discover evidence of textile production, charred grain, and how specialist teams interpret archaeological discoveries.🎥
Timestamps 🕛
00:00 – Introduction
00:34 – How do archaeologists choose where to dig?
01:15 – Phase 1 of excavations
01:58 – Evidence of textile production
03:09 – Second phase of excavation
04:25 – Preserved grain pit
05:44 – Roman trackway
06:54 – Threshing floor
07:23 – A farmstead story
08:12 – Conclusion
Join our excavation team and specialist staff as they investigate a series of possible sunken-featured buildings (SFBs), a post-built structure, a possible threshing floor, and a grain-filled pit that may reveal how people lived, worked, and produced food during the early medieval period.
Finds including spindle whorls, a loom weight, and a knife provide tantalising evidence for textile production, while environmental analysis of charred grains helps us understand the agricultural practices of the community that once lived here.
This video explores more than just the discoveries—it shows how archaeological stories are built. From the excavation trench to the finds table and environmental laboratory, our specialists explain the decisions they make on site and how their expertise shapes the interpretation of the evidence.
Archaeology isn’t simply about what we find, but how we recognise, record, and piece together the clues that reveal the past.