Archaeologists excavating Pollok Park in search of Dark Ages settlement

The dig, which began yesterday, is being carried out by members of Glasgow Archeological Society, as part of its 150th anniversary commemorations this year.

It centres on two sites in woodlands behind the Burrell Collection. Both are what archaeologists describe as ring works; large earth banks with ditches dug around the perimeters. The banks were about 30 metres in diameter and the ditches, which were a few metres wide, were capable of accommodating several small houses.

Stephen Driscoll, Professor of Historical Archaeology at Glasgow University, who leads the dig, said: "We think this is the precursor to Pollok House - a primitive fortified settlement which dates to the Dark Ages.

"We hope this is the beginning of a long-term project to study the evolution of the Pollok estate.

"While the Maxwell family kept good records, the early phases of the estate are much more mysterious."

The ring works have been excavated before, in 1959, but the job was incomplete, Mr Driscoll says.

"The dig was carried out by some amateur enthusiasts who did not really understand what they were looking at. This is a chance for us to go back and get it right.

"Already today we have uncovered stone structures - bits of rampart, and the walls of what is probably a round building. We plan to use radio carbon dating to give us a precise clues to the date of the settlement."

In future, the archeological society also plans to hunt for the remains of the original 16th century Pollok House, the first of three castles built by the Maxwell family.

Archaeologists agree house number two and one most likely stood on the site of the present stables.

The present dig, which will last two weeks, is open to the public, with tours on offer for all those who are interested in finding out more about the settlement.