Bronze Age skeleton unearthed in Wiltshire

A 4,000-year-old Bronze Age skeleton, believed to be that of an adolescent child, has been unearthed by archaeologists.

The 4,000-year-old Bronze Age skeleton, believed to be that of an adolescent child,
 unearthed by archaeologists at Wilsford Henge in the Vale of Pewsey 
[Credit: University of Reading]

The rare discovery was made by a team from the University of Reading, who are excavating Wilsford henge in the Vale of Pewsey, Wiltshire.

It is believed the skeleton will help shed light on the lives of those who lived and worshipped at nearby Stonehenge.

The body, around 1.5m in length, was found in a foetal position and was wearing an amber necklace. Efforts will now be made to determine the age and gender of the child and where they were from after the find was made on Tuesday.

The Vale of Pewsey, situated between Stonehenge and Avebury, is the subject of a three-year dig but over the last six weeks, archaeologists have focused on Marden henge and Wilsford henge.

Built in 2400 BC, Marden henge is the largest henge - a prehistoric monument - in the country.

Dr Jim Leary, from the University of Reading's department of archaeology, described the skeleton as a "wonderful discovery".