Construction work on a new slip road in Wales has turned up more than just rubble.

Archaeologists at the site in Anglesey have unearthed the graves of at least 48 people dating back 1,500 years, calling it a find of 'national importance.'

The team digging at the grounds of an ancient cemetery, on the site of the new Llangefni link road being constructed in Anglesey, say the medieval 'time capsule' could offer clues to the rich history of the region.

Archaeologists have uncovered at least 48 graves and artefacts at the site of a new slip road in Anglesey, Wales. The team says the medieval 'time capsule' is of national importance and could offer clues to the rich history of the region. Pictured is one of the 1,500-year-old remains which has been unearthed

Excavators also recovered a small bronze brooch and clasp from one of the graves, which they believe dates back to the end of the Roman period.

Alongside them they uncovered fragments of Samian pottery, which is thought to have been imported from Gaul in France, as well as a fragment of roofing tile, suggesting there were buildings near the burial site.

Iwan Parry, of Archaeoleg Brython Archaeology, said: 'This is a fantastic find of national importance.

'A cemetery like this where there is such good preservation is like finding a time capsule left by a community almost 1,500 years ago.

As well as the ancient remains from the graves, archaeologists have recovered a number of small artefacts, including a bronze brooch (pictured) and fragments of pottery imported from France. They also uncovered fragments of roofing tile, suggesting there were buildings nearby the burial site

In one of the graves excavators recovered a small bronze brooch and clasp (pictured), which they believe date back to the end of the Roman period

MEDIEVAL 'TIME CAPSULE' IS OF 'NATIONAL IMPORTANCE' Archaeologists have uncovered at least 48 graves have near Llangefni on the Welsh island of Anglesey. They say the find, which is on the site of a medieval burial ground, is a 'time capsule' offering a glimpse into the region's rich past. A bronze brooch and clip are believed to date back to post-Roman rule, with pottery fragments indicating they were imported from France. Researchers believe that further analysis of the bodies could even throw up genetic links to any descendants still living on the island. Advertisement

The dig team has said that the level of preservation is down to the soil in the area, which has kept the bones in tact.

Mr Parry said: 'The manner of how the remains have been preserved is amazing.

'The soil in north-west Wales is generally very acidic, which means that bones rarely survive, and in a similar cemetery nearby, found during the installation of a water main in 2010, no bones were recorded.

He added: 'Here, however, even the delicate bones of the hands and feet are still there on some of the skeletons.

'We believe this may be due to the limestone bedrock, into which some of the graves have been dug.'

Scientific analysis of the bones, artefacts and surrounding site could help to shed more light on the region's rich history.

Anglesey saw waves of Roman invasion, with the European rulers fleeing the region in the first century, only to return and conquer the area again.

The graves and artefacts were uncovered near the town of Llangefni (labelled on map) on Anglesey on the proposed site of a new slip road

The dig team (pictured) has said that the level of preservation at the site is down to the acidic soil in the area, which has kept the bones in tact, preserving them for 1,500 years

But by the fifth century the occupation was waning, with the Roman occupiers leaving the isles in the early 400's AD, with officials being expelled by around 410 AD.

Sites such as the one uncovered in Anglesey date back to the period after this, so could offer insight into any Roman legacy in the area and how the region transitioned.

Mr Parry added: 'Through various scientific techniques we'll gain a better understanding about these people - their health, where they grew up, what they ate and how and when they died.

'Through DNA work, it may also be possible to find out whether they were a family group and whether those buried together were related.

'It may even be possible to find out whether they are the distant relatives of people still living in Llangefni today.'