The largest in Britain: archaeologists have uncovered a massive Viking-era hall (photos).

Archaeologists have uncovered the remains of a large wooden structure dating back to the late Viking Age near the village of Holm Saint Cuthbert in Cumbria, England. Initial signs of the archaeological site were discovered thanks to crop marks in 2022, writes Heritage Daily.

Further investigations through geophysical surveys, part of the "High Tarn Archaeology" project, revealed the remnants of a substantial 50-meter wooden building. This led to excavations at the end of 2024, where researchers confirmed the structure's dimensions through a series of test pits.

Radiocarbon dating of a key wooden beam indicated that the building was constructed between 990 and 1040 AD, which is over a century earlier than the nearby monastery. The excavation team's statement notes that this discovery is the largest known Viking hall in Britain, significantly altering previous assumptions about early medieval settlement in the region.

Other finds at the site include the remains of a grain-drying oven, stone-lined walls, staircases, and a drying chamber made from clay and stone.

Despite centuries of agricultural activity that has damaged the site, archaeologists found two small late medieval pottery kilns above the collapsed oven. The soil conditions limited the preservation of organic materials, leaving only a few artifacts.

This discovery sheds new light on Viking Age settlements in northern England, challenging previous interpretations of the region's historical development. The scale and age of the structure suggest it was an important center of activity, providing valuable insights into the architectural and agricultural practices of the time.

We also reported on the oldest basilica found in the heart of ancient London.