Wall dig leads to 'once-in-a-generation' discovery

More than 250 people viewed the find at an event last weekend

The discovery of a section of Hadrian's Wall has been described as a "once-in-a-generation" find.

It was made by volunteers working at Drumburgh, about 10 miles (16km) from Carlisle, during a three-week dig.

Organisers described it as "the only visible bit" of the almost 2,000-year-old Roman structure to the west of the city.

Archaeologist Mark Graham said the find confirmed the accuracy of geophysical surveys that had suggested where the wall ran.

Mr Graham, of not-for-profit archaeology firm Grampus and Heritage Training, explained it was "a once-in-a-generation discovery".

"Wall like this has not been seen here in our lifetime," he said.

Those behind the dig said they were not "expecting to find stone in the ground"

He added: "When you put a trench in the ground, especially at a protected monument, you feel like you've got one shot at it and that was our shot to find the wall.

"When we started the project we had some early plans.

"We weren't expecting to find stone in the ground because it was all later recycled, so to even find a course of the wall was enough, but then to find a stone wall four courses high is just incredible."

An open day at the weekend saw more than 250 people view the discovery.

"We want local people to see it," Mr Graham added.

"Also, people in the village are often asked by walkers where the wall is.

"Of course, there was never anything to see. Now at least we can say it is there."