A DOG walker who kicked what he thought was an old football at Binstead Beach was shocked to discover it was actually a human skull.
It was later found to be up to 2,800 years old, dating back to the Iron Age.
It was found on June 4 last year by Binstead resident Anthony Plowright, who had taken his two dogs for an evening walk along the beach.
It comprises the upper part of a human skull, called the cranium.
The find was reported to the police and then referred to Isle of Wight Coroner, Caroline Sumeray.
She sent the skull for carbon-dating, and researchers discovered it dated back to between 800BC and 540BC.
Mr Plowright said: "I was just walking along the beach and I saw this thing. I thought it was an old football so I booted it.
"Then I realised what it was, so I put it in a bag and took it home and emailed the police to tell them I had found it.
"I had absolutely no idea it was that old."
The skull has been donated to the Isle of Wight Heritage Service, to be exhibited in a museum.
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