4,000-year-old human skeleton discovered near Stonehenge

Believed to be that of an adolescent child, the skeleton was discovered by University of Reading archaeologists

A well-preserved skeleton of a Bronze Age teenager, dating back to 4,000 years, has been discovered in a foetal position near the prehistoric monument Stonehenge in UK.

The skeleton, believed to be that of an adolescent child, was discovered by University of Reading archaeologists excavating Wilsford Henge in the Vale of Pewsey, Wiltshire.

The exciting discovery will give researchers a wonderful insight into the lives of the people who saw Stonehenge in full swing.

Extensive research will tell the gender and age of the child, where they were from, and priceless information on diet and disease in the Bronze Age, researchers said.

The well-preserved remains were found near the bottom of a Neolithic henge in Wilsford. The body, roughly 1.5m in length, was placed in a foetal position with legs drawn up, arms crossed and head turned to the right, and was wearing an amber necklace.

Archaeologists began excavating Marden Henge and its little sister Wilsford Henge in the Vale of Pewsey in June.

Situated between the iconic prehistoric monuments of Stonehenge and Avebury, the Vale is a barely explored archaeological region of huge international importance.

The three-year dig aims to transform the understanding of the people who used and worshipped at Stonehenge.

"The skeleton is a wonderful discovery which will help tell us what life was like for who lived under the shadow of Stonehenge at a time of frenzied activity," said Dr Jim Leary, from the University of Reading's Department of Archaeology and Director of the Archaeology Field School.

"Scientific analysis will provide information on gender of the child, diet, pathologies and date of burial. It may also shed light on where this young individual had lived," Leary said.

Archaeologists have also found beautifully worked flint arrowheads and blades, decorated pottery, shale and copper bracelets and a beautiful Roman brooch.