Angus Council has been urged to turn a Bronze Age dig site into a major tourist attraction.
Despite initial expectations that work would be completed in a matter of weeks, The Courier understands the excavation work in Carnoustie could take up to six months after a trove of ancient artefacts were discovered.
Calls have been made to preserve the site and transform it into a centre for archaeology and “put Carnoustie on the map for more than just golf”.
Long-time resident Peter Burke said there was potential to produce “the best tourist attraction Angus has seen for years”.
“This site should become the centre for archaeology in Angus,” said Mr Burke, who is the chairman of Connecting Carnoustie, which is made up of local business owners.
“The centre could be the start and finish point of a trail of the county’s prehistoric and medieval past.
“We could cover the site with an open, airy, natural light, shed-type structure and build pathways through it for visitors with information boards.
“The triangle of waste land adjacent to the site could be used for a small car park with a large museum.
“We could bring in the stones from Pictavia and other items which are gathering dust in storage.
“This has the potential to put Carnoustie on the map for more than just golf.”
The dig, adjacent to Carnoustie High School, is already uncovering evidence about life north of the Tay before records began.
Carnoustie councillor Bill Bowles said: “I’m in agreement.
“It’s potentially a huge opportunity.
“There’s no urgent rush but we need to look at options and funding along with alternative provision for the pitches.
“I know that the path of least resistance will be to excavate, record, remove and then develop but rarely in my experience is the path of least resistance the right one to take.”
Diggers were starting to lay the foundations for new playing fields in Carnoustie when they hit on evidence of a Bronze Age settlement.
A sword with a gold hilt dating back to the Bronze Age was among the artefacts uncovered and a nearby structure could be from the later Iron Age.
The dig has temporarily halted work on Carnoustie Panmure Football Club’s two new grass pitches.
President Phil Hope said they were concerned the delay could have a negative impact on the club as it grows and moves forward.
Angus Council last year approved the lease of land to the club on a peppercorn lease of £1 per annum for 99 years.
Mr Hope said: “We are interested and excited about what they have found but we have concerns for delays in our project which could have an impact on the club as it grows and moves forward.”
He said they have been working for four years to get the pitches and a further delay would be “terrible” for the club which has 580 members from age 5 to over 50s.
An Angus Council spokesman said: “While the excavation work will take longer than first anticipated, there is no rigid timescale for the scheduled development (the pitches) to begin.
“Clearly, the winter months are not the best time of year to be developing grass pitches.”
