IT’S LOLA Rose’s dream to become an archaeologist – and so to have a dig on her doorstep has been thrilling for the Petersfield youngster.

Every day after lessons at Petersfield Infant School the excited six-year-old rushed down to the excavations on the Heath.

And she has been very keen to find out about the latest finds – including the large Bronze Age burial urn unearthed by the team on the People of the Heath project.

After finding a dark charcoal circle about a foot across, the excavators alerted experts at the Hampshire Cultural Trust at Winchester who brought it carefully out of the ground and are now analysing it for its significance and history.

The discovery of this clay pot, thought to be dated around 2,000 to 1,500 BC, is a first for the three-year project which has seen nine Heath barrows excavated now.

The pot was in the barrow opposite Rival Moor Road, which is where Lola lives with mother, Amie Reed.

“I am very interested,” said the youngster. “I held a wild pig tusk in my hand here too.” Mum Amie added:?“It’s pretty special for her.”

“It’s right on our doorstep. It’s lovely for her to come and see what’s been found.”

Among the volunteers at the dig were flint expert Anthony Haskins, Joe Wiersma from London and Lorina Gilbert, of Alton.

Joe (76) said he enjoyed taking part in digs both in this country and abroad now he was retired.

“I thought I would try it out after leaving work and I have taken to it like a duck to water,” said Joe, who was one of the volunteers to find evidence of the burial pot.

Lorina, a member of Liss Archaeology Group, said she enjoyed spending time in the fresh air helping out alongside the friendly team.

“It’s the most wonderful way to spend the day,” added doctors’ receptionist Lorina.