BONES found by the side of the A23 have come from more than one body – but could have been there for decades.

Forensic archaeologists examining the scene for Sussex Police yesterday made a number of new finds on the land just yards away from the southbound carriageway of the A23 at Slaugham, near Handcross.

Detective Inspector Tracy Edwards visited the scene at 3.30pm yesterday to inspect the day’s finds.

She said: “Following an extensive and thorough search of the site by specialist search officers, we have recovered a few more bones, and forensic archaeologists who have studied them at the scene believe that they may be from more than one body.

“However, advice from the experts is that the remains may well be in excess of 100 years old and they will now be subject to carbon dating to confirm this.

“The search is no longer being treated as a crime scene and a report will be submitted to the coroner.”

The police were alerted after workmen found a human jaw on Monday when clearing the area for road-widening works.