ARCHAEOLOGISTS and council leaders are excited by the findings.

David Score, project manager for Oxford Archaeology which has been leading excavations along the relief road route, said: “The find of the burial pit on Ridgeway was remarkable and got everyone working on site really excited.

“To find out that the young men executed were Vikings is a thrilling development.

“Any mass grave is a relatively rare find, but to find one on this scale, from this period of history, is extremely unusual and presents an incredible opportunity to learn more about what is happening in Dorset at this time.”

Dorset County Council leader Angus Campbell said: “We have a tremendous historic environment in Dorset but we never dreamed of finding a Viking war grave.”