"EXTREMELY significant" secrets of an ancient settlement in the Duddon Valley are soon to be revealed.

Archaeologists, volunteers and local history enthusiasts have spent three years excavating three medieval longhouse sites near Seathwaite Tarn, hoping to establish Viking links and find out how our Norse ancestors lived.

Materials unearthed during the dig are being scientifically analysed, and Duddon Valley Local History Group will be presenting the final results on Tuesday, November 6, at 7pm, at Victory Hall, Broughton-in-Furness.

An "extremely significant find" is expected to be revealed on the night by leading archaeologist Jamie Quartermaine, of Oxford Archaeology North. Mr Quartermaine led the dig and is a respected authority on the Lake District's archaeological landscape.

The Longhouse Close site is said to be "a striking resemblance" to a known Viking settlement on the Shetland island of Unst, explained Ken Day, chairman of Duddon Valley Local History Group. Expectations were "high" of establishing Viking connections to the longhouse sites during excavations.

Children from six local schools took part, with pupils given lessons in drawing a mock-up site using grids; finding hidden objects in sand trays with trowels; reconstructing broken pottery; and excavating their own square patch on site.

Shards of 16th century Silverdale pottery were uncovered during the early part of the dig, raising hopes of finding older material lower down. Eventually three floors, beautifully constructed of cobbles and stone slabs, were revealed.

This year's excavations concentrated on a semi-circle of stones thought to have been part of a Bronze Age ring cairn, but unfortunately the idea was not borne out.

Carbon dating of charcoal found on the site has yielded a date of around 1300BC, way before tenth century Norse invasion.

Small, rust-encased metal objects found this year have been subjected to X-ray analysis, with the results expected to be announced at the talk on November 6. Everybody is welcome at the event, which includes a free buffet and refreshments.

The local history group said it is grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund for largely funding the project, as well as National Trust archaeologist Jamie Lund, and Eleanor Kingston, archaeologist and historic advisor for the Lake District National Park Authority.

For more, see www.duddonhistory.org.uk