Image caption The sub-floor of a circular house discovered at the site

The regional development minister has granted a further week's extension to the archaeological dig on an ancient historical site in County Fermanagh.

The Drumclay crannog lies in the path of a new road in Enniskillen that is to be completed before the G8 summit in June.

The dig was supposed to finish at the end of March, but was recently extended until 8 April.

However, the minister, Danny Kennedy has now granted an extra week.

The crannog - a man made island settlement - is situated on a site where the new A32 Cherrymount link road in Enniskillen will be built.

"I have given this issue very careful consideration and have had to balance my desire to complete the Cherrymount link before the G8 Summit, alongside the historical importance of the crannog," Mr Kennedy said.

"I also asked my permanent secretary to visit the site and speak directly to those involved on the dig in an effort to identify the timescale for completion.

"Following these discussions, he has advised me that the additional time should enable the excavation work to be completed.

"What's more, there should be no significant impact on Roads Service work at the site."

The site has turned out to be more significant than anyone originally thought and over the last eight months more than 4,000 artefacts have been discovered dating between the 7th to the 16th centuries.

They include the remains of 30 wooden houses, including one which is 12m in diameter.

It may be the largest house structure of the period ever to be discovered and archaeologists have said their discoveries will re-write the history books of ancient Irish life.

Among other finds are a wooden bowl that has a cross carved into its base, parts of wooden vessels with interlace decoration, exquisite combs, a large pottery collection, chess-like pieces for games, and timber foundations for dozens of houses.