Oystermen discover a 3,000-year-old Bronze Age skull while dredging off the Essex coast Ross Wey, 58, found the ancient skull off the coast of Mersea Island near Essex The oysterman of five years said lump on the back of the skull hinted at its age The cranium was examined by police and has been sent to UCL for further tests By James Gant For Mailonline Published: 17:41 GMT, 24 March 2019 | Updated: 17:44 GMT, 24 March 2019 Viewcomments An ancient skull discovered by an oysterman dredging the sea bed is thought to be around 3,000 years old. Ross Wey, 58, found the artefact off the coast of Mersea Island, Essex, and it is believed to be from the Bronze Age. The oysterman, who has been dredging for the molluscs for five years, said the lump on the back of the skull hinted at its age. The ancient skull was found off the coast of Mersea Island near Essex and is thought to be around 3,000 years old Oysterman Ross Wey, 58, found the ancient artefact which is believed to be from the Bronze Age Mr Wey, who has been dredging for the molluscs for five years, said the lump on the back of the skull (right) hinted at its age 'As this dredge came up there were the oysters and then these pair of eyes looking at me,' he told the BBC. A post on Richard Haward's Oysters Facebook page, which is in West Mersey, added: 'It's incredible that it has survived. 'The location of where it was found is believed to have once been a stream and fishing wasn’t a means of survival then as the locals would have been hunter gatherers. 'It has been sent to a museum in London. Dredging is an amazing thing.' The skull was initially looked at by police, but has now been sent to University College London for further research Mr Wey, who lives on a boat at Mersea Island, described his discovery of the human remains as 'bizarre' The cranium, which was initially examined by police, has now been sent to University College London for further research. Mr Wey, who lives on a boat at Mersea Island, described the discovery as 'bizarre'. He added that he did not know if the skull would go to a museum in London or Colchester Museum in Essex. Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility