More than 2,700 previously unrecorded historical features have been uncovered by English Heritage following an aerial survey of the Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site.

Prehistoric burial mounds, mediaeval sheep farms and 19th century lead mines are among the finds, based on 30,500 photographs mapping the entire site over the last 60 years. Senior investigator for English Heritage's aerial survey and investigation team, David MacLeod, said: "We need to remember that Hadrian's Wall is not an isolated monument set within a landscape devoid of any other history.

"This region saw a tremendous amount of activity before the Romans arrived and after they left, traces and memories of which remain today." The project to map the World Heritage Site started in 2002, covering the entire 1,725km (1,072m)-length of Hadrian's Wall.

Image: English Heritage