A HISTORY group will begin its third and final year of excavation this summer to unearth three Norse long house structures in Furness.

It will be the culmination of a ten year programme which started out with members of the Duddon Valley Local History Group surveying and recording sites of archaeological interest.

Members discovered features resembling the outline of Norse long houses at three sites close to Seathwaite Tarn and it was agreed these be investigated with the work being mainly funded from a successful bid for Heritage Lottery Fund cash.

Under the supervision of archaeologists from Oxford Archaeology North, and with support from the National Trust and Lake District National Park Authority, members and volunteers excavated the first site at Tongue House High Close in 2016.

While no evidence of Norse settlement was found, valuable information on high-level farming was established, as the site revealed periods of occupation dating from the 16th century.

At the second site at Longhouse Close three floor layers were uncovered along with pottery finds dating to the 15th century.

A number of samples were sent for carbon dating but, instead of the expected 10th or 11th century dates, all the samples revealed dates close to 1300 BC.

The team will return to the site from June 16 to July 1 when the excavation area will be extended to open up a third ‘long house’ further up the valley.

Anyone interested in volunteering, should register at duddondig@gmail.com.

There will be an open Day for visitors on Saturday, June 23.

For more information go to www.duddonhistory.org.uk and the blog at www.duddondig.wordpress.com