THE foundations of a massive building – which could be even older than the Pyramids – were discovered during a dig on the banks of a long-lost lake in Monmouth.

Archaeologists from Monmouth Archaeology, a professional wing of the Monmouth Archaeological Society have been working on the Parc Glyndwr development site, off Rockfield Road for about a year, but last week made a significant find.

Remnants of a structure were found, which archaeologists and historians believe could be unique to Britain, dating back to at least the Bronze Age, although it could be even older than Egypt’s ancient Pyramids.

Experts suggest the structure’s size, and it having been made from entire trees, means the building could be a “long house” – with the possibility of dating as far back as the New Stone Age (the Neolithic Age) and could predate the Pyramids from 3,000- 2,000 BC.

The building was discovered at the edge of an ancient lake, which dried up thousands of years ago.

Monmouth archaeologist Steve Clarke who has been working on the site said: “The structure certainly is huge.

The foundation of big wooden timbers set in the ground is a technique, which has been used for thousands of years.

“The timbers are up to one metre wide. It is a long and wide, massive structure.

“There has been a great deal of excitement because it is so big. It appears to be the biggest in the country and we have been talking to archaeologists on the continent to see if they know of anything like it elsewhere.

“I have been digging for 55 years, but doing it professionally for the last 20 years.

“Monmouth has had a few exciting finds and this is perhaps one of the most important, but it’s certainly also one of the most mysterious.”

The Monmouth Archaeology Society was employed by developers Charles Church East Wales to study the site in order to safeguard any archaeological discoveries.

The developers have now rearranged work to allow for a full archaeological exploration of the remains, which were found during the digging of an attenuation pond.

Managing director Steve Williams said the discovery was very exciting and his company was pleased to be able to support the archaeologists in their work to preserve the remains.