The 4,000-year-old skeleton of a Bronze Age teenager has been unearthed on the site of a prehistoric earthwork close to the site of Stonehenge.
The discovery was made during excavations of Wilsford henge, an ancient circular earthworks in the Vale of Pewsey, Wiltshire, just 15 miles from Stonehenge.
The body was found in a foetal position and was wearing an amber necklace.
It is hoped the skeleton, which would have been around 5 feet tall, will help shed light on the lives of those who lived around Stonehenge.
The site in the Vale of Pewsey is thought to be part of Bronze Age burial complex.
Bronze Age teenager unearthed near Stonehenge: 4,000-year-old skeleton discovered in ancient burial site
The body was found in a foetal position and wearing an amber necklace
It was found during excavations at Wilsford henge in the Vale of Pewsey
The site in Wiltshire is just 15 miles from the stone circle of Stonehenge
Archaeologists say it may shed light on the lives of those living in the area
By Richard Gray for MailOnline
23 July 2015
Daily Mail
The 4,000-year-old skeleton of a Bronze Age teenager has been unearthed on the site of a prehistoric earthwork close to the site of Stonehenge.
The discovery was made during excavations of Wilsford henge, an ancient circular earthworks in the Vale of Pewsey, Wiltshire, just 15 miles from Stonehenge.
The body was found in a foetal position and was wearing an amber necklace.
The remains of a Bronze Age adolescent (above) have been found buried in foetal position at Wilsford Henge in the Vale of Pewsey, Wiltshire, close to the site of Stonehenge. The body, which is about 5 feet long, was found wearing an amber necklace and may shed light on the lives of those who lived in the area 4,000 years ago
It is hoped the skeleton, which would have been around 5 feet tall, will help shed light on the lives of those who lived around Stonehenge.
The site in the Vale of Pewsey is thought to be part of Bronze Age burial complex.
Experts think that the route was a busy one and that Stonehenge could be viewed differently from different positions.
It seems that instead of being a complete barrier, the Cursus acted as a gateway to guide visitors to the stone circle.
Archaeologists have spent the past six weeks excavating the site and another nearby prehistoric monument Marden henge, which is the largest henge in the country.
Dr Jim Leary, an archaeologist at the University of Reading, described the skeleton as a 'wonderful discovery'.
He said: 'Finds from the first five weeks of the dig were exciting - but as so often during excavations the best is revealed last.
'The skeleton is a wonderful discovery which will help tell us what life was like for those who lived under the shadow of Stonehenge at a time of frenzied activity.
'Scientific analysis will provide information on the gender of the child, diet, pathologies and date of burial. It may also shed light on where this young individual had lived.'
The skeleton's legs were drawn up, arms crossed and head turned to the right in its grave.
Archaeologists now hope to conduct further research on the remains to determine how old the person they belonged was and their gender.
It is thought, however, that they belong to an adolescent.
The site is part of a three-year dig in the Vale of Pewsey which is aimed at understanding more about the people who lived in the areas around Stonehenge.
Flint arrowheads, blades, decorated pottery, shale and copper bracelets and a Roman brooch, are among the artefacts that have been found.
Archaeologists discovered the body during a six week excavation at the site of what is thought to be an ancient burial complex. They now hope to do research to unravel the skeleton's age and gender. The skull after it had been excavated from the grave is shown in the image above
The skeleton's legs were drawn up, arms crossed and head turned to the right in its grave. Archaeologists say they hope it will reveal new insights into Neolithic and Bronze Age life
Duncan Wilson, Historic England chief executive, said the site was 10 times the size of Stonehenge.
He said: 'Halfway between the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Sites, comparatively little is known about this fascinating and ancient landscape.
'The work will help Historic England focus on identifying sites for protection and improved management, as well as adding a new dimension to our understanding of this important archaeological environment.'
THE ORIGINS OF STONEHENGE
No one is exactly sure why - or how - Stonehenge was built more than 4,000 years ago.
Experts have suggested it was a temple, parliament and a graveyard.
Some people think the stones have healing powers, while others think they have musical properties when struck with a stone.
They could have acted as a giant musical instrument to call ancient people to the monument.
What is clear, is that the stones were aligned with phases of the sun.
People were buried there and skeletal evidence shows that people travelled hundreds of miles to visit Stonehenge - for whatever reason.
The burial site is around 15 miles from Stonehenge (shown above) and it is possible the teenager may even have travelled to the famous stone circle to worship during their life
The discovery was made during excavations of Wilsford henge, an ancient circular earthworks in the Vale of Pewsey, Wiltshire, just 15 miles from Stonehenge.
The body was found in a foetal position and was wearing an amber necklace.
It is hoped the skeleton, which would have been around 5 feet tall, will help shed light on the lives of those who lived around Stonehenge.
The site in the Vale of Pewsey is thought to be part of Bronze Age burial complex.
Bronze Age teenager unearthed near Stonehenge: 4,000-year-old skeleton discovered in ancient burial site
The body was found in a foetal position and wearing an amber necklace
It was found during excavations at Wilsford henge in the Vale of Pewsey
The site in Wiltshire is just 15 miles from the stone circle of Stonehenge
Archaeologists say it may shed light on the lives of those living in the area
By Richard Gray for MailOnline
23 July 2015
Daily Mail
The 4,000-year-old skeleton of a Bronze Age teenager has been unearthed on the site of a prehistoric earthwork close to the site of Stonehenge.
The discovery was made during excavations of Wilsford henge, an ancient circular earthworks in the Vale of Pewsey, Wiltshire, just 15 miles from Stonehenge.
The body was found in a foetal position and was wearing an amber necklace.
The remains of a Bronze Age adolescent (above) have been found buried in foetal position at Wilsford Henge in the Vale of Pewsey, Wiltshire, close to the site of Stonehenge. The body, which is about 5 feet long, was found wearing an amber necklace and may shed light on the lives of those who lived in the area 4,000 years ago
It is hoped the skeleton, which would have been around 5 feet tall, will help shed light on the lives of those who lived around Stonehenge.
The site in the Vale of Pewsey is thought to be part of Bronze Age burial complex.
Experts think that the route was a busy one and that Stonehenge could be viewed differently from different positions.
It seems that instead of being a complete barrier, the Cursus acted as a gateway to guide visitors to the stone circle.
Archaeologists have spent the past six weeks excavating the site and another nearby prehistoric monument Marden henge, which is the largest henge in the country.
Dr Jim Leary, an archaeologist at the University of Reading, described the skeleton as a 'wonderful discovery'.
He said: 'Finds from the first five weeks of the dig were exciting - but as so often during excavations the best is revealed last.
'The skeleton is a wonderful discovery which will help tell us what life was like for those who lived under the shadow of Stonehenge at a time of frenzied activity.
'Scientific analysis will provide information on the gender of the child, diet, pathologies and date of burial. It may also shed light on where this young individual had lived.'
The skeleton's legs were drawn up, arms crossed and head turned to the right in its grave.
Archaeologists now hope to conduct further research on the remains to determine how old the person they belonged was and their gender.
It is thought, however, that they belong to an adolescent.
The site is part of a three-year dig in the Vale of Pewsey which is aimed at understanding more about the people who lived in the areas around Stonehenge.
Flint arrowheads, blades, decorated pottery, shale and copper bracelets and a Roman brooch, are among the artefacts that have been found.
Archaeologists discovered the body during a six week excavation at the site of what is thought to be an ancient burial complex. They now hope to do research to unravel the skeleton's age and gender. The skull after it had been excavated from the grave is shown in the image above
The skeleton's legs were drawn up, arms crossed and head turned to the right in its grave. Archaeologists say they hope it will reveal new insights into Neolithic and Bronze Age life
Duncan Wilson, Historic England chief executive, said the site was 10 times the size of Stonehenge.
He said: 'Halfway between the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Sites, comparatively little is known about this fascinating and ancient landscape.
'The work will help Historic England focus on identifying sites for protection and improved management, as well as adding a new dimension to our understanding of this important archaeological environment.'
THE ORIGINS OF STONEHENGE
No one is exactly sure why - or how - Stonehenge was built more than 4,000 years ago.
Experts have suggested it was a temple, parliament and a graveyard.
Some people think the stones have healing powers, while others think they have musical properties when struck with a stone.
They could have acted as a giant musical instrument to call ancient people to the monument.
What is clear, is that the stones were aligned with phases of the sun.
People were buried there and skeletal evidence shows that people travelled hundreds of miles to visit Stonehenge - for whatever reason.
The burial site is around 15 miles from Stonehenge (shown above) and it is possible the teenager may even have travelled to the famous stone circle to worship during their life
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