HUMAN remains dating back to the Roman era have been discovered during excavation work in Huntingdon.

A skeleton was discovered earlier this month in the car park of Pathfinder House on St Mary's Street - the home of Huntingdonshire District Council.

Archaeologists believe the remains date back to the second or third century and have also discovered several near-complete pots.

Other discoveries at the site give further evidence to Roman occupation, including evidence of agriculture and small-scale industry, such as gravel quarrying.

As well as the Samian pots, which date from 155-200AD, the base of a large storage jar has been found, still in its original position in the ground.

The most recent dated Roman find so far is a coin from the reign of the Emperor Probus, who ruled from 276-281AD.

Pathfinder House was built in the 1970s. The site is being redeveloped in a multi-million pound scheme to provide HDC with a new home.

Dr Steve Malone, of Archaeological Project Services, said: "It is not entirely unusual to find skeleton remains during a dig but it is certainly not an everyday occurrence.

"We are able to ascertain that the skeleton was that of a man, aged 45-60 years and approximately 5ft 6in in height - within the normal range for Roman males. The individual was probably quite stocky and muscular.

"It seems the skeleton is an isolated burial and not part of a cemetery so we are not expecting to find any more remains - unless the northern part of the site springs a surprise."

Archaeological work will continue until mid-October.