Roman and Iron Age ruins have been discovered during work for one of the Highways Agency's major road schemes.

A decision to dual the A66 from Carkin Moor to Scotch Corner and Greta Bridge to Stephen Bank in North Yorkshire has unearthed five or six round houses, paddocks and fields where two Roman roads used to meet, now the junction of the present day A66 and the A1.

Finds are being handed to a local museum and features uncovered during excavations include a circular house, square structures, pits and field ditches, possible associated with a larger settlement near Rock Castle Farm on the other side of the A66.

A team of archaeologists has been working at the site in advance of major works and excavations started in May 2006. As a result of the road scheme, archaeologists were able to carry out the first excavation of Scots Dyke in modern times.

The A66 follows the line of an important ancient Roman road dating from the first century AD and Scots Dyke is thought to date from around the same period. The results of the excavations will be used to build up a clearer picture of Roman settlements in the area.

Highways Agency project manager, Lynne Biddles, said: "It's fantastic that we've been able to uncover all these settlements and artefacts ahead of these dualling schemes. We can now piece together the history of this area and preserve it for the wider community to enjoy."

Metal detecting near Black Plantation has resulted in a number of small finds dating from the 17th and early 18th centuries, including a small silver christening spoon.