Ref. 30960-108ROMAN coins and blue glass beads have been found among the remains of buildings at the Groundwell Ridge historic site.

Just over a week after the team from English Heritage moved to the Roman site archaeologists have already uncovered the extensive walls of a Roman building.

All the finds have been found just six inches beneath the surface.

Dr Pete Wilson, project manager at the site, said: "We have found a large expanse of previously unknown walls of what is clearly a very complex Roman building.

"We have found examples of items found in domestic Roman life blue glass beads and around 15 to 20 Roman coins dating from the third and fourth century."

The experts have also uncovered a wealth of building materials and pieces of pottery, while metal detectors have been used to sift through spoil heaps to make sure no finds have been missed.

The fine weather Swindon is currently experiencing has proved to be a mixed blessing. Although ideal as it allows working the open air, the hot sun can dry out the layers of soil which have preserved remains for hundreds of years.

Dr Wilson said: "The hot sun can turn the soil to almost like concrete. Ideally what we are looking for is a mix of warm days then gentle rain, but we will never get it perfect."

The excavations started on June 9 and will be the most extensive ever carried out at the site.

The dig is expected to last seven weeks during which time volunteers will have the chance to team up with professional archaeologists and work on the site.