HUNDREDS of visitors saw how Roman history is being unearthed at a special open weekend in Caerleon.

The Argus reported at the beginning of this month how a lost Roman city was uncovered in the Priory Field site after researchers from Cardiff University found a huge complex of buildings.

Students detected walls below the ground in fields outside the fortress outlining a series of huge buildings between the amphitheatre and the River Usk, in an area experts thought was largely unoccupied during the Roman era.

The find was described as being of international importance and is set to change the way experts think about Britain's Roman history.

Now along with staff and students from UCL, the archaeologists are carrying out a six-week dig to help determine how far below the ground the remains are hidden to get an indication of their age.

The open weekend which ran from Saturday until Monday saw visitors invited on tours of the site as well as to look at displays of the latest finds.

Activities including pottery-making and fancy-dress also took place.

Cardiff University senior lecturer in Roman archaeology Dr Peter Guest, who is helping direct the project, said: “On the first day alone we had around 450 visitors so we are really pleased with the success of it and the general interest people are showing in the site.”

Public tours are also available at 11am and 2.30pm daily at the site up until September 17.