Archaeologists from the University of Reading in the United Kingdom have unearthed the remains of a 4000-year-old adolescent child at an excavation site located in the Vale of Pewsey in Wiltshire.
The ancient skeleton, believed to be from the Bronze Age, was discovered at a spot in the vale, between Avebury and Stonehenge. It measures at about four feet and 11 inches long, and was uncovered in a fetal position, wearing what appears to be an amber necklace.
The Reading researchers will now conduct an analysis to determine the gender and age of the child, as well as trace the location from where he or she possibly came from.
Experts believe the newly-discovered specimen will help provide further insight regarding the lives of people who had lived near Stonehenge thousands of years ago.
While the Vale of Pewsey, where the Bronze Age skeleton was found, has been the subject of a three-year excavation project, the researchers involved in the excavation were focused on surveying the Wilsford henge and Marden henge over the past six weeks.
The Marden henge, which was erected in 2400 BC, is considered to be the largest of the henges, or ancient monuments, ever to be built in the UK.
Dr. Jim Leary, a researcher from Reading's archaeology department, described the 4000-year-old skeleton as a "wonderful discovery."
Leary explained that the finds they were able to make in the first five weeks of their dig have been exciting, but as it is often the case during such excavations, the best discoveries are revealed near the end. The ancient remains will help scientists uncover more information regarding the lives of those people who lived under the Stonehenge's shadow during a time of frantic activity.
Leary added that a scientific examination of the skeleton will provide further information on the child's gender, diet, pathologies and burial date, and that it could also reveal where he or she had lived.
The three-year University of Reading excavation project is conducted in cooperation with the Wiltshire Museum and the Historic England, the Arts and Humanities Research Council. Its objective is to develop understanding on the way of life of people who existed in areas around Stonehenge.
Discoveries made by the archaeologists at the dig site to date include blades and arrowheads made of flint, a Roman brooch, decorated pottery and bracelets made of copper and shale.
Photo: Adriano Aurelio Araujo | Flickr
