The extraordinary burial site was uncovered during the earthwork operation.

Remains were found in a pit which is thought to be an older quarry used out of convenience rather than one dug specifically for the burial.

Fifty-one decapitated skulls were found in one distinct area of the pit and bodies were found randomly placed in another section of the pit.

The decapitated skulls were originally thought to be Iron Age or early Roman due to pottery from this period found in the burial pit, but radio carbon dating dates the remains to the late Saxon period, between AD 890 and AD 1030.

Most of the skulls show evidence of multiple blows to the vertebrae, jawbones and skulls with a large, very sharp weapon such as a sword.

All the remains appear to be male and most are aged from their late teens to about 25 years old, with just a small number of older individuals. As a general group they are tall, robust in stature with good teeth.

The lack of any other finds, such as those associated with clothing, indicates that they may have been naked when thrown into the pit.

Excavation of the remains is now complete and a more detailed analysis of the bones is being undertaken by Oxford Archaeology (opens in a new window) .

Archaeological finds from the Weymouth Relief Road will be offered to a Dorset museum after the analysis work has been completed.

Photos of the archaeological work and finds (opens in a new window)  are available as a collection on our Flickr account.