YOUNGSTERS had a practical lesson in Roman history as part of a five-week archaeological dig.

The excavation by BirkBeck University of London on Firhill Playing Field, Bellingham, was visited by 30 pupils from Marvels Lane Primary School.

The aim of the dig is to locate a Roman road, named Lewes Road, which linked London to the Weald and, probably, the south coast.

Youngsters had the chance to try wet and dry sieving and ageing finds and learned more about animal bones found at the site.

Cabinet memeber for culture Councillor Angela McGarrigle said: “It’s not often we have such a fascinating opportunity to learn about the history of the borough and provide our schoolchildren with a history lesson they’ll never forget.” Artefacts from the dig can be seen at the Local Studies Centre, Lewisham Library, in Lewisham High Street, from 11am to 4pm on July 19.