A PENDANT dating back around 11,000 years has gone on display for the first time.

The engraved piece, made of shale, was discovered during excavations at the early mesolithic site at Star Carr, near Scarborough, by researchers from the universities of York, Manchester and Chester.

It is thought to be the earliest known piece of mesolithic art in Britain and has now gone on display at the Yorkshire Museum in York until May 5.

Just three-millimetres thick, it measures 31mm by 35mm and contains a series of lines which archaeologists believe may represent a tree, a map, a leaf or possibly tally marks.

Professor Nicky Milner, of the University of York, said: "It was incredibly exciting to discover such a rare object.

“It is unlike anything we have found in Britain from this period. We can only imagine who owned it, how they wore it and what the engravings actually meant to them.

"One possibility is that the pendant belonged to a shaman - headdresses made out of red deer antlers found nearby in earlier excavations are thought to have been worn by shamans.”