Photo: uncovered just three miles from Stonehenge in May 2002, the Amesbury Archer is the richest burial find in Britain to date. © Wessex Archaeology.

It is now over a year since archaeologists, working on a routine excavation on the site of a proposed new school in Wiltshire, unearthed the richest Bronze Age burial yet found in Britain.

On August 16 at Salisbury & South Wiltshire Museum, the public will get its first glimpse of the more than 100 artefacts discovered alongside the skeleton of the 'Amesbury Archer'.

From copper knives and pottery, to flint arrowheads, wristguards and gold hair ornaments, the new display will offer a unique snapshot of life 4000 years ago.

"The museum is delighted to have the opportunity to display these nationally and internationally important finds," said Assistant Curator, Martin Wright.

Photo: the grave contained Britain's earliest known gold objects. © Wessex Archaeology.

"Since it was announced that the musem had successfully acquired the objects, the interest from people all over the world has been phenomenal. Enquiries about the find have come from as far away as Alaska and Japan."

The burial was found in May 2002 by Wessex Archaeology just three miles from Stonehenge.

Dating back to 2300 BC, it contained a male skeleton and a quantity of grave goods that suggested he was a warrior or even some kind of king.

Because of the proximity, both in space and time, to the ancient monument, some experts dubbed the archer, 'The King of Stonehenge', suggesting he may have been involved in its construction, though others disagree.

Photo: did these copper knives belong to a prehistoric king? © Wessex Archaeology.

However, the significance of the find, said to be the richest of its type yet found in the whole of Northern Europe, is in no doubt. Not only did the grave contain the earliest datable copper and gold objects found in this country, but oxygen isotope analysis of the archer's teeth and bones indicates that he originally came from central Europe, possibly the Alps.

This is the first evidence we have of this type that shows people were coming to Britain from mainland Europe at this time.

Under the Treasure Act 1996, the professional archaeologists who made the discovery had no claim over it and therefore the finds belonged entirely to the owner of the site. Lucky for Salisbury & South Wiltshire Museum, this meant that only half of the £20,000 valuation had to be paid to ensure the spectacular find joined its collection.

Museum Director, Peter Saunders told the 24 Hour Museum how the finds will temporarily be displayed on their own, before being joined on a permanent basis by the human remains next year.

Photo: the discovery of the Amesbury Archer's grave was followed by the discovery of another burial, containing a younger man thought to be a relative or even his son. © Wessex Archaeology.

"We are already very proud of our fantastic archaeological material," said Peter, "but this is of international interest."

"We are extremely pleased to have it here and I think it does reflect the significance of material of this importance being out in the provinces, and indeed the British Museum fully supported it coming here."

The finds will be on display in Salisbury until September 30, after which they will join a major touring exhibition, Treasure: Finding Our Past, at the British Museum in November.

Following a period at the National Museum of Wales, they will then be brought together with the human remains in a permanent display back in Salisbury from September next year.

For more information about this spectacular find click on this link to visit the Wessex Archaeology site.