THE grave of the Amesbury Archer and his companion, two bronze age skeletons surrounded by weapons and jewellery and hailed as one of the richest archaeological finds ever, has been yielding more secrets.

A third skeleton unearthed at the 2,300-year-old Boscombe Down site is being investigated by experts from Wessex Archaeology.

The first two skeletons are thought to be those of men of extremely high rank, possibly kings or chieftains with connections to Stonehenge.

They were buried with intricate earrings and other possessions indicative of their status.

It is the first conclusive evidence of the existence of an elite class with the power to organise the building of major monuments such as Stonehenge.

Tony Trueman, of Wessex Archaeology, said that the third man was not buried with any artefacts, so it is impossible at this stage to guess who he was.

DNA tests are being conducted to see whether the skeletons were members of the same family.