Archaeologists say they have discovered Saxony's oldest settlement while digging in a farmer's field in the eastern German state. Archaeologist Harald Staeuble said the three houses are around 7,500-year-old and are about 200 years older than any previous examples in the region. Their foundations were found in Salbitz, near the city of Leipzig. He said the houses would have been about 540 sq. feet to 860 sq. feet (50 to 80 sq. meters) large, housing families of up to 15 people. Staeuble said archaeologists were led to the spot in 2009 when a local researcher found pieces of ancient ceramics in the field with markings known to be from the Neolithic. The dig started three weeks ago and will be finished next week.

Edited from Associated Press, The Canadian Press (8 April 2011)