Stone age home discovered in Britain

The remains were found during construction work in a field north-west of Edinburgh.

All that is left of the house is a large oval pit, nearly seven metres in length, a handful of holes, and more than 1,000 flint artefacts, thought to be from old tools and arrowheads.

It has been dated to the Mesolithic period, around 10,252 years ago, The Independent reported.

"The radiocarbon dates that have been taken from this site show it to be the oldest of its type found in Scotland," said Rod McCullagh, a senior archaeologist at Historic Scotland.

The remains include a number of holes, which would have held wooden posts to support the walls and roof, probably covered with turf, the paper said.

Archaeologists also identified several internal fireplace hearths, and large quantities of charred hazelnut shells, suggesting whoever lived there roasted the nuts for food.