Ref. 30730-24THE QUEST to discover what lies beneath the soil at Groundwell Ridge moved a step closer yesterday.

Portable buildings, fencing and other equipment have been brought onto the North Swindon site as English Heritage prepares to conduct the most extensive excavations ever carried out at the location.

Dr Pete Wilson, a senior archaeologist at the English Heritage Centre for Archaeology in Portsmouth, said: "The excavations last year were to simply test where Roman items were not located, paving the way for new paths to be put on the site.

"This time we plan to uncover as much of the building which was first discovered as possible, as well as put a trench over what we believe maybe a Roman road on the site."

At any one time it is hoped that there will be as many as 30 to 40 people working on the excavations, including local volunteers from the recently set up Friends of Groundwell Ridge interest group.

It is hoped that the excavations will reveal the true nature of the building.

Archaeologists are still undecided about what the building is, but it could be a villa, a large farmhouse or even a religious sanctuary.

Dr Wilson said: "We are hoping to find substantial quantities of building materials and pottery, which will allow us to date the site.

"We don't know what else we expect to find. Each site is different and that is what makes the work so interesting."

The area, in North Swindon, has been recognised as one of Britain's most important archaeological sites, and last summer the field took centre stage in a national televised dig.

The English Heritage compound will feature worker's huts, toilets, storage sheds and a specially-constructed mock excavation to allow schoolchildren to take a closer look at how archaeologists carry out their work.

A raised viewing platform will also allow visitors to the site to watch the excavations being worked on without intruding on the dig.

David Webb, facilities and logistics manager for English Heritage said: "The setting up of the compound has gone very well.

"We have brought in five portable buildings, toilets generators and a fuel tank ready for the operation."

"Today we will begin work on the viewing platform and mock excavation for the visitors."

The Roman site was discovered in 1996 when contractors working for a housing developer uncovered buried Roman walls.

The site, then valued at £1m, was saved from development following an Evening Advertiser campaign.

Anthony Osborne