IT’S ALL gone a bit potty on Petersfield Heath with a third Bronze Age urn discovered in one of the barrows there.

This latest thrilling find, carefully unearthed by archaeologists and volunteers on Saturday, is thought to be about 3,500 years old.

It will be sent off for scans and analysis and help build up an even clearer picture of the conditions and life on the Heath for our ancient ancestors.

The urn, which was upturned and remarkably intact, is smaller than the other two previously recovered in the four-year People of the Heath project, which co-directors George Anelay and Dr Stuart Needham believe may be of “considerable significance.”

It also may not be what is called a collared urn, which may be historically important too.

“These differences excite the archaeologists and we can’t wait to find out more,” said a spokesman from Petersfield Museum, which has a display on the excavations, with one of the urns found last year given pride of place.

The finding of the new pot has slowed progress somewhat for those working on the Heath digs, and the clock is now ticking as these are the last batch of excavations, with only days to go.

They are due to finish on Saturday, but the team may have to carry on working into next week to unearth all they can.

Previously, two funeral urns have been lifted from the Heath barrows, and there is one waiting to be excavated that the team identified last year.

Archaeologists came across the latest urn on the opposite side of barrow 19 to the others.

The urns add to the other cremation containers found on the Heath – the remains of wooden box, and the remains of a bag, with the wooden handles reconstructed and on display in the museum - among them.

The remains of a charred wicker panel have also been found in barrow 19, thought at first to be pot shards.

These have been lifted in bulk and will be thoroughly dried out.

The People of the Heath project has been hugely successful, and has put Petersfield on the map as nationally significant in archaeological terms. It is hoped to secure more funding so evidence of a settlement on the Heath can be investigated.

There is still time to catch George’s free daily tours of the digs, which take place at 4.30pm for half an hour. Meet at the car park in Heath Road. No need to book.