1920: Earliest date for skull fragment

Archaeologists working at the site say that the piece of bone is possibly no more than 90 years old, although carbon dating tests are still being carried out in the UK.

Deputy police chief Lenny Harper said today that if the bone was from that era, a decision would have to be made as to whether the police pursued a homicide inquiry or concentrated on the child abuse allegations.

Police are still awaiting the carbon dating results of the fragment, which was discovered by forensic officers at the site on Saturday 23 February, and until they are received the exact age of the skull is unknown.