BUDDING archaeologists at the University of Reading have discovered a 5,000-year-old relic which may hold answers to the ancestors of Stonehenge.

Students and staff set out on an exploration in Wiltshire to examine an area of land known as 'Cat's Brain' and stumbled across a monument containing human remains.

The team will continue to search for other precious artifacts from the site, which is believed to date back as far as 3,600 BC.

The site predates the nearby Marden Henge by more than 1,000 years and was first spotted by aerial photography.

Dr Jim Leary, director of the Archaeology Field School, said: “Opportunities to fully investigate long barrows are virtually unknown in recent times and this represents a fantastic chance to carefully excavate one using the very latest techniques and technology.

“Members of the public now have the chance to visit us and see prehistory being unearthed as we search for human remains on the site.

“Discovering the buried remains of what could be the ancestors of those who lived around Stonehenge would be the cherry on the cake of an amazing project.”

An open day will be held at Marden Henge on Saturday to allow members of the public the chance to see the excavation in action.

Little excavation work has been carried out in the area before and the findings could provide extensive knowledge on early examples of British agriculture.

Amanda Clarke, co-director of the Archaeology Field School, said: “This incredible discovery of one of the UK’s first monuments offers a rare glimpse into this important period in history.

“We are setting foot inside a significant building that has lain forgotten and hidden for thousands of years.”