4,000-year-old child burial discovered at Orkney

Archaeologists have been excavating the site of a child's grave on an Orkney island. The grave - which it is believed could be up to 4,000 years old - was uncovered on Sanday's shoreline by winter storms and high tides.

4,000-year-old child burial discovered at Orkney
The skeleton was found almost complete 
[Credit: Sanday Ranger]
It is thought the skeleton could be that of a child aged between 10 and 12. The find was made by Carrie Brown, of See Orkney tours, who called in local archaeologists.

4,000-year-old child burial discovered at Orkney
Experts of Historic Scotland were called to the scene 
[Credit: Sanday Ranger]
Historic Scotland was alerted, and experts were sent to Sanday on Saturday. The skeleton will be analysed by an osteoarchaeology team in more suitable climatic conditions.

The remains were found on 3 February.

Source: BBC News Website [February 10, 2015]