FRAGMENTS of Chippenham's prehistoric and medieval history, including human bones and a flint scraper, came to light during an excavation in the town centre.

Archaeologists dug a trench in the floor of Jubilee Cottage, a derelict building tucked behind the Jubilee Building in Upper Market Place, prior to its renovation.

Mike Stone, manager of Chippenham Museum and Heritage Centre, oversaw the dig, in the cramped conditions of the back room.

Over three weekends they dug a trench 0.5m square to a depth of 1.5m and uncovered a variety of items of interest, giving more clues about the history and development of the town.

Today the building functions as a meeting room downstairs and offices of the Borough Lands Charity upstairs.

"It backs on to the graveyard in a most historic part of the town, and so it seemed a reasonable idea we might find some human bones," said Mr Stone. "We found one bit of a toe bone and a small piece from an arm."

The archaeologists had to dig carefully through layers of crushed limestone and clay beneath the floor to reach the more interesting ground beneath.

Fragments of 12th and 13th century pottery were discovered, from the same era as the human bones.

And prehistoric activity was indicated by the presence of a late Neolithic flint scraper.

"It's a bit damaged but beautifully cut," said Mr Stone.

"You're never quite sure what you're going to find in a dig like this. When we put together all the evidence, the clues seem to suggest the town did not expand much until the 12th and 13th centuries."

Population growth and the successful market are possible reasons for the town's medieval boom.

The finds have been taken to the Heritage Centre for further study and the trench has been refilled.

Once renovated, Jubilee Cottage will be rented out as a home.