Pottery find is truly amazing (From Stroud News and Journal)

Pottery find is truly amazing

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AN amateur archaeologist has amazed historical experts across the UK with unique 4,500-year-old pieces from a dig in King's Stanley.

Pieces of ancient pottery and flints were unearthed by David Evans, 66, in an orchard next to St George's Church, 3ft under the site of a 12th century manor house.

The treasure trove of neolithic artefacts has intrigued academics from Oxford, Cardiff and Bradford Universities and Oxford scientists are now working to date the finds.

"It was a big surprise to me," said Mr Evans, who began exploring the site in 1966.

"I began finding the most peculiar pottery. I had found plenty of medieval and Roman stuff but never anything like this.

"I took it around to some experts and they didn't know either. It is causing a lot of excitement."

Among the pieces were sections of pottery with burnt food still on the inside and a tiny 4cm by 2cm patterned pottery plaque, thought to be the only one of its kind ever uncovered.

"Some bits looked like they were thrown down there yesterday," said Mr Evans. Mr Evans, who returned to the dig site in 2003 after a 30-year absence, is due to re-open the project in just weeks and is keen to explore the site again.

His persistent efforts have already uncovered evidence of Roman settlements and a medieval manor complete with kitchens, stables and a moat.

Experts from the Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society, which supports historical research in the county, have now given Mr Evans a £500 grant towards paying for the specialist reports into his finds.

ENDS