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Search the Public Notice PortalBuilders digging foundations for a home extension made a surprising discovery when they uncovered a human skull in a Durrington garden.
The remains were found by Dave Whitaker, founder of WT Construction Ltd, while working at a property in Westfield Close at around 9am on Thursday, July 2.
Dave said: “We thought it was just a piece of old clay pipe, but it was actually a skull.
“Obviously, we had to call it in, so then we had police here, followed by the forensic team to confirm it was human.”
Police and forensic specialists attended and established that the bones were more than 100 years old, ruling out any link to a modern criminal investigation.
A spokesperson for Wiltshire Police said: “On July 2 we responded to a report that human bones had been discovered during excavation work in Westfield Close, Durrington.
“These were assessed by specialists and established to be historic and did not require a criminal investigation.”
Archaeologists later took over the site, carefully excavating and recovering the remains, which included a skull, jaw and other bone fragments. Teeth were also found and are expected to assist further analysis.
Dave added: “There are lots of graveyards in this area because of the number of people working around Stonehenge historically.
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“But to find one in someone’s garden, about four feet down, was very interesting.”
Wiltshire Council’s archaeology service confirmed the remains were part of a Roman burial.
A spokesperson said: “A rescue excavation and specialist analysis have taken place following the discovery of a Roman burial during building work for a domestic extension in Durrington.
“Discoveries of this nature are not unusual in this area, which has a well-documented history of Romano-British activity.
“The find was initially reported to Wiltshire Police, who confirmed it was an archaeological matter. The remains have since been professionally excavated, recorded and analysed, and a report is being prepared.
“The building work has not been disrupted and has continued as planned.”
Wessex Archaeology believes the remains are likely those of a woman aged over 50, with further analysis ongoing ahead of a full report.
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