Ancient bones found at old church

The bones were discovered by workmen carrying out renovations

Workmen carrying out renovations at a church in Falkirk have uncovered ancient human bones.

The discovery was made on Thursday in an area thought to be a former burial ground of Falkirk Old and St Modans Parish Church.

Forensic officers from Central Scotland Police were called to investigate the discovery and found there were more than one set of remains.

There has been a Christian church on the site since at least 800 AD.

Local tradition has linked the earliest foundations of the church with Saint Modan in the 6th Century.

The present church was built in 1811, although 12th Century pillars remain in the church's vestibule.

A spokeswoman for Central Scotland Police said officers had confirmed the bones as human and that they were not recent.

She said the discovery was indicative of a previous burial site and that the find was not being treated as suspicious.

An archaeologist from Falkirk Council is set to visit the site in an effort to determine the exact age and nature of the remains.

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