Archaeologists have found ancient roundhouses and artefacts during excavations for a wind farm in North Wales.

The remains, potentially from the Iron Age (800BC-48AD) or Roman occupation (48AD-410AD), include two roundhouses and domestic artefacts like a clay cup and stone tool.

The findings were part of a pre-construction archaeological survey for the Awel y Môr offshore wind farm.

Liz Statham, project officer from Wessex Archaeology, said: "Using geophysical techniques before we begin an archaeological dig allows us to see beneath the soil across large areas."

She added: "At the Awel y Môr onshore substation site, the geophysical survey revealed evidence of two ancient roundhouses measuring around 10m across.

"It's highly likely that these would have been set within fields and paddocks where animals were kept and crops were grown."

Clay Cup  (Image: RWE)

The survey also uncovered animal bones, suggesting cattle, sheep and pigs were kept, alongside other finds giving insights into daily life, such as a stone with a hole possibly used for weaving cloth and a tiny clay cup.

"This site sits on what is now the modern B5381, which goes west from St Asaph to Moelfre, and it is thought to follow the course of a Roman road, so it might be that this settlement was built or enlarged based on the opportunities the road provided for trade and transport," Ms Statham added.

Stone View   (Image: RWE)

The project team now plans further investigations ahead of construction on the site in Denbighshire, west of St Asaph Business Park.

The wind farm, developed by RWE on behalf of partners, will eventually be able to generate enough power for more than half the homes in Wales.

Tamsyn Rowe, project lead for Awel y Môr, said: "One of the great benefits of developments like Awel y Môr, as well as the jobs they create and renewable energy they generate, is how we can use them to help build our understanding of the places they’re in."

She added: "The team and I all look forward to finding out more in the coming months, as our work progresses."

RWE is also progressing with plans for onshore wind farms at Gaerwen and Alwen Forest.