LONDON, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Long-hidden buried archaeological sites in Britain, not visible for more than 30 years, have been spotted by their distinctive "cropmarks," researchers say.
A dry summer in Britain has made them apparent, as crops growing over buried archaeological features develop at different rates from those nearby, revealing the patterns to aerial surveys, the BBC reported Monday.
Hundreds of sites, some not visible since a 1976 drought, have been discovered and photographed by the surveys. The survey has also found sites not known before, like Roman and prehistoric settlements at a site near Bradford Abbas in Dorset.
A Roman camp was revealed in June after three sides became visible in sun-parched fields of barley, the BBC said.
"It's hard to remember a better year," English Heritage senior investigator Dave MacLeod said. "Cropmarks are always at their best in dry weather, but the last few summers have been a disappointment.
"This year we have taken full advantage of the conditions," he said. "We try to concentrate on areas that in an average year don't produce much archaeology."
