Human remains from the Boudiccan Revolt have been found during an archaeological dig at a department store.

Parts of a jaw bone and shin bone have been found during excavations at Williams and Griffin, in Colchester High Street.

The Colchester Archaeological Trust is currently on site following the demolition of the store’s east building as part of a £30million redevelopment.

Philip Crummy, director of the Colchester Archaeological Trust, said: “The recently discovered bones in Williams and Griffin must be the remains of people who died in buildings set on fire by the British as they quickly overran the town.

“This is only the second collection of burnt human bone to have been recorded from the Boudiccan debris.

“The bones were not in their correct anatomical positions relative to each other but they may nevertheless have belonged to the same body.

“The existing teeth suggest a person who was in his or her late teens or early 20s.”

The Boudiccan Revolt took place in AD 61 when British tribes unsuccessfully tried to free the country from Roman control.

As a result of the failed attempt, thousands died and Colchester, London and St Albans were burnt to the ground.