<b>By Suffolk Gazette staff

The remains of an ancient race of cave-dwelling prehistoric man have been found in Norfolk, excited anthropologists have confirmed.</b>

Named <i>Homo canariensis</i>, the original skeletons were discovered at Grime's Graves in Thetford, and dated back 5,000 years to the Neolithic Age.

It is not believed the species had the intelligence or skill to mine or work the nearby flint mine, but they are now known to have occupied the caves for many years feeding on bats and decomposing leaves.

Experts say that as waves of invading immigrants swept through Britain, including the Celts, Romans, Saxons and Normans, few of the Ancient Britons survived - but in backwaters like Norfolk, life has continued virtually unchanged for millennia.

In fact, recent DNA fingerprinting has revealed that they never actually died out at all, but are still present within the genome of isolated populations all over Norfolk.

Possessing additional digits to each limb, it is believed their hands and feet were webbed which would have conferred an advantage when wading through the boggy fenlands. The unusually small cranial cavity meant that this poor unfortunate creature was unable to develop commercial and social skills, or even simple physical skills like football.

Professor A.P Edwards, head of anthropology at the University of Suffolk, delighted with the discovery. He said: "If prehistoric man can survive virtually unchanged in Norfolk it may be possible that wolves and bears are still at large in Thetford forest. Perhaps the auroch cattle and giant elk may also have survived as well.

"Vast tracts of uncharted land remain north of Diss, so there is no telling who or what else may be discovered as we continue our work.”
