Satellite unearths pre-historic site

Norham Castle lies on the banks of the River Tweed

Archeologists have uncovered exciting new evidence of a pre-historic settlement at a castle in Northumberland.

They were carrying out a survey for English Heritage using satellite technology at Norham Castle when the discovery was made.

The team of archeologists believes the findings suggest the area could well have been an Iron Age fortification dating back almost 3,000 years.

If they are correct it will mean Norham has the largest Iron Age hill fort in the country.

Evidence of the prehistoric fort was found during an earthworks survey at the castle, which was built in medieval times, and is on the south bank of the River Tweed.

The archaeologists used a satellite positioning system to produce a digital map of the area.

After careful examination of the results, experts now believe an isolated stretch of rampart, in a field south of the existing castle, is evidence of a much older fortification.

It is thought the rampart is most likely to be a remnant of an earlier defence, cutting off the side of the hill that is most exposed to attack.

English Heritage archaeologist Trevor Pearson said: "All the evidence points to settlement in the area much earlier than anyone previously believed."