Secrets of our Stone Age ancestors have been unearthed by a team of experts on the site of a new primary school in Dorset.

Celebrity archaeologist and star of BBC 2's Meet the Ancestors, Julian Richards, has been conducting the dig on the site of Milldown Primary School in Blandford and told of his delight at discovering evidence of occupation on the land stretching back 5,000 years.

Mr Richards said: "Everyone knows that I am fascinated by how our prehistoric ancestors lived. Here, in the flint tools and the hints of more finds in the pits, we have the clues to help us understand what life was like in Blandford 5,000 years ago."

The project started last year when private firm AC Archaeology was brought in by Dorset County Council to investigate the site of the new school. Initially, experts found evidence of a 4,000-year-old Bronze Age burial site but the new season of digging, which began this week, has uncovered even earlier signs of activity which pre-date the burials by 1,000 years.

Mr Richards said: "This is much more exciting than a Bronze Age burial site."

New finds of flint tools and indications of pits and ditches suggest that the school site was lived on between the end of the Stone Age and the beginning of the Bronze Age, between 5000 and 4000 years ago. Children from Blandford School, which houses the site of the new primary have been getting their hands dirty and helping out and this weekend the trenches will be open to the public.

Mr Richards said: "What is so great about this project is the way in which we are able to show visitors not only how an excavation works, but also allow them to handle real finds."

Visitors can also take a trip back in time to experience how their ancestors lived by taking a tour around a replica prehistoric homestead.

Mr Richards said: "The ancient technology team are making the past come alive with their replica prehistoric house. This really is the past being brought to life."

From 10am until 3pm this weekend, the diggers will be on hand to welcome the public and give them the chance to handle artifacts from Dorset County Museum.

Staff from the Ancient Technology Centre, Blandford Museum and Dorset County Museum will be running a range of activities including flint-knapping, hurdle-making, story-telling and art activities.

Refreshments are also available including tea, coffee and cake as well as a hog roast.

Dorset County Council's cabinet member for children's services, Toni Coombs, visited the site on Saturday.

She said: "It is very exciting that they have discovered evidence that people were actually living on the site 5,000 years ago. Who knows, some of us could be their direct descendants."

For more information call the Blandford school on 01258 451121 or email office@blandford.dorset.sch.uk.