Construction workers in Britain have unearthed a large Roman-era cemetery. The burials are of an unusual type and show dramatic changes in the funerary customs of locals in the 1st century AD. This cemetery is allowing researchers to better understand a key period in British history, namely the transition from a Celtic to Roman culture and society.

The workers unearthed the Roman burial ground when they were working on a new school building, which will replace the existing one. It was found near Somerton, Somerset in Southern England. The relevant authorities were notified as required by law and work on the new building was paused.

One of the skeletons alongside a pot found at the Roman burial site. (Wessex Archaeology)

The South West Heritage Trust then began to investigate the site and what they found was astonishing. Archaeologists conducted the most comprehensive excavation of a Roman burial site ever in the region. During the dig, they used drones and other innovative technology.