New road reveals Stone Age site

   Archaeologists believe they may have stumbled upon a
   major Stone Age site - on the route of a new bypass. 

   The site dates back between 250,000 and 300,000 years and
   may even provide evidence of one of the earliest uses of fire. 

   Archaeologists discovered a range of items at the location in
   Harnham, near Salisbury in Wiltshire, including 44 "very rare"
   flint hand axes - the earliest form of tool used by man. 

   One of the most exciting discoveries on the site has been 
   evidence of charcoal, which could point to an early use of fire. 

   Helena Cave Penny, an archaeologist at the county council,
   added: "The presence of charcoal at the site suggests the people
   there made fires. 

   "This would seem natural when it is known that the climate was
   cold and damp at the time. 

   "It could be the earliest evidence of such fires in Britain - and
   probably in Europe." 

   Evidence suggests the site was next to a tributary of the River
   Avon, and may have been a seasonal camp used by hunters.

Last Updated: Tuesday, 7 October, 2003, 15:02 GMT 16:02 UK  
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/wiltshire/3167526.stm
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