ARCHAEOLOGISTS have discovered what could be the henge of the North-East.

Thousands of years before Durham Cathedral took shape, settlers could have worshipped on a nearby hill because experts from Tyne and Wear Museums have found evidence of continuous settlement on the site from 3,000BC to 300BC by stone age, bronze age and iron age man.

The discovery, unveiled today, has been hailed as one of the most significant archaeological sites of ancient Britons in County Durham.

The excavation was conducted as part of Northumbrian Water's preparations for a £3.5m drinking water reservoir on the outskirts of the city.

Pottery remains, flint knives and skin scrapers have been unearthed.

Preserved timbers, used to shore up ditches, were found, as well as traces of iron age fields. Circular features, thought to be the remains of henges or barrows for ceremonial use or to house the dead, have emerged.

Steve Speak, senior keeper of field archaeology for Tyne and Wear Museums, said: "This is one of the earliest sites of its type in the county.

"Trying to make sense of all the various dates from the same site is a bit of a puzzle - it seems the spot was occupied almost continuously throughout the prehistoric period.

"But, it isn't clear what it was used for - it's not well enough preserved."

Samples have been sent to Florida for carbon dating. Ultra sound surveys and trenching began on site in 2003, but findings had been kept a secret until now.

Partners in the project include Entec UK, Byzak Ltd, Durham University and Durham County Council.