Airing tonight in the new series of Digging for Britain on BBC Two, the A417 archaeological site uncovered Gloucestershire's history during the road development.

According to National Highways, last summer's excavation of an Iron Age site known as a 'banjo enclosure' near the A417, between the Air Balloon Roundabout and Brockworth, was part of the £460m A417 Missing Link scheme.

In two months, archaeologists from Oxford Cotswold Archaeology excavated the site which is thought to have been the site of special activities such as feasting.

Dating back almost 2,200 years, a wide range of artefacts were found, including pottery and animal bones, along with a human 'crouched' burial.

Steve Foxley, programme director for the A417 Missing Link said: "While this landscape-led scheme is very much about building a road that is fit for the future, it's important not to forget the past and it's been an absolute pleasure to piece together Gloucestershire's history as part of this important upgrade for the county.

"We're just as captivated as residents, and we've been delighted to share some of our recent findings with local parish councils and schools. We're equally excited that this significant excavation is now being shared with a wider audience through BBC Two's Digging for Britain.

"Watch this space, as we're also planning some community open days in the spring, where people will be able to meet the team and hear all about our archaeological finds."

Jim Keyte, archaeology project manager for the A417, added: "It's a great pleasure to be able to share our findings with the viewers of Digging for Britain. As a landscape-led project within the Cotswolds National Landscape, being able to explore the traces left by our ancestors provides a unique opportunity to contribute to the story of the Cotswolds and leave a legacy of knowledge for the local community."

The series is hosted by Professor Alice Roberts who visited the A417 Missing Link scheme to meet the team and go behind the scenes. The episode will be broadcast at 8 pm on Thursday 4 January.

As well as Oxford Cotswold Archaeology, National Highways also worked closely with Gloucestershire County Council and Historic England to carry out the dig, along with Kier the construction contractors.

Alex Thomson, project manager for Oxford Cotswold Archaeology, said: "It has been a privilege to be part of the A417 project, and we have been treated to some outstanding archaeology.

"It is a rare opportunity to be able to investigate archaeological sites on this scale and across such a wide landscape, and the results of our work will contribute significantly to our understanding of the past in the local area and the wider Cotswolds."

Image source: National Highways.