PIECES of prehistoric pottery dating back to the Bronze Age and Iron Age have been discovered on the site of Southampton's WestQuay shopping centre.

Archaeologists from the University of Southampton are currently analysing nearly 400 handmade pieces found at the site during a two-year excavation.

Southampton City Council archaeologists found the pieces before the shopping centre was built, but have only just begun analysing them.

They have discovered that the artefacts date from the Middle Bronze Age (1600-1100 BC) to the Middle-Late Iron Age (200 BC - AD 50).

Some of the pottery from the Middle Bronze Age is thought to be from a barrel urn - perhaps used as a container for human ashes - while the other pieces would probably have been used domestically. Despite the fact that the pieces are in relatively poor condition, Dr Elaine Morris from the university's Centre for Applied Archaeological Analysis said the find was of importance.

She said: "This small collection of prehistoric pottery is significant within the archaeology of Southampton and southern Britain.

"We have so little evidence remaining about the early occupants of Southampton, their settlements and daily activities, but the pottery has preserved within its structure a wealth of information waiting to be discovered.

"Our work has already shown that trade may have been taking place in the area."

Southampton City Council Archaeology Unit manager Dr Andrew Russel said: "The WestQuay prehistoric pottery is the first group of such material in the city to be fully examined by a leading expert in this field.

"Further finds will help us to build up a picture of life in prehistoric Southampton."