THE lives of thousands of people living in Winchester from 2,400 years ago are being uncovered. The biggest current archaeological dig in Britain is revealing the secrets of life in the Iron Age, Roman, Saxon and medieval periods. But time is running out for the dig which is scheduled to finish by February 14 when developers move on to the site...

SOON the discoveries will be covered again and a tantalising glimpse of the past will itself become history.

Archaeologists are taking their chance to open up the ground to yield a mass of information before the site is developed.

But technological advances mean that this relatively brief dig can still reveal a huge amount of detail.

The excavation at Northgate House, Staple Gardens, previously the former SCATS offices, is unusual because so many periods of history are there in a small area, from the late Iron Age, 400BC, to around AD1500.

The decline of Winchester between the Middle Ages and its revival in the 19th century has also had the fortunate spin-off of ensuring much has been preserved.

The layers of soil and items laid down over time are also in excellent condition and exciting the archaeologists.

Phil Emery, senior archaeologist with Gifford Archaeology, which is overseeing the dig, said: "We are having tremendous results. The preservation is superb. This is due to the relative sparsity of development in the post-medieval period. There is not the same level of disturbance."

Mr Emery said: "The site is one of the most fascinating I have been involved in. The location is within the Iron Age enclosure centring on Oram's Arbour that dates from circa 400BC. It's within the Roman city and King Alfred's burgh. You get three for the price of one."

Just starting is the long task of analysing the samples to better understand the lifestyles of the people.

Dr Richard Macphail of the Institute of Archaeology, University College London will soon have the chance to study earth dating from pre-Roman times.

Microscopes will study the soil looking for evidence of animal dung and waste food which can shed light on people's diet and environment.

Chemical analysis of the soil will aid understanding of industrial processes. Pollen can be studied to give an indication of the climate and vegetation.

Soil micromorphology can even detect trampled floor surfaces which alter the size of particles and show evidence of how the area was used at different times.

Among the more tangible discoveries have been a coin from the reign of King Canute between 1016-35. He was the king who famously wanted to rebuke his sycophantic courtiers. So he had his throne set on the beach, reputedly near Town Quay in Southampton - and tried to hold back the waves.

Artefacts from the Roman period include a commemorative coin from 300 AD, a tiny set of scales and an etching tool.

A series of walls have also been unearthed. Last week a section of Roman lath and plaster, a thin strip of wood panelling, was discovered complete with iron nails. It is unclear whether the plaster was painted.

A very rare discovery, it will tell historians much about Roman carpentery techniques.

The biggest discovery has been a well-preserved stone-lined room from the 12th century. The excavators are unsure what it is, with several suggestions of cold store, wine cellar, privy and wellhead.

The "cellar" is three and a half metres deep and lined with chalk blocks.

Mr Emery said the diggers will look for evidence of a shaft which would be conclusive proof that it was a well.

It may have been used by the now vanished St Mary's Chapel, part of the Archdeacon of Winchester's compound.

The high quality stonework indicates that a very high status building stood above it as most medieval buildings were made of wood.

The transience of power is shown because the archdeacon's buildings had been demolished by the 15th century.

This dig is unusual in that a large team of 35 professional archaeologists has been assembled.

They are from Oxford Archaeology and led by project manager Ben Ford.

To ensure the limited time has been maximised, their work has taken place under a temporary roofing and with arc lights to extend the working day.

Mr Emery hopes the dig will encourage Winchester people to take more interest in their past. "It will allow people to have a better understanding. It makes history more dynamic, rather than people dealing with dusty old stories."

Tracy Matthews, sites and monument officer at the city council, said: "It is very exciting and the archaeology is incredible."

The quality of the finds has surprised her. "The preliminary investigation didn't suggest that. It is wonderful stuff. Some of the remains are very rare, like the chalk cellar," she said

When the city council's archaeology section was dismantled last year with the loss of three jobs there was concern that the quality of archaeology could suffer.

Mr Emery said: "It shows that archaeology in Winchester is as good as anywhere else in the country.

"This must be one of the best sites in the country and it deserves the level of interest from the local community. It is the largest project in Winchester for nearly 20 years."

An academic book will be produced in the future and the city council is considering a more popular booklet aimed at the general public.

The dig is not open to the public although there are viewing windows around the site and information boards.