FAMILIES can peer into the past and learn about the lives of our forefathers when archaeological excavations in the heart of Stafford are opened to the public tomorrow.

A grotesque and ultra-rare 17th Century jar designed to scare off witches will take centre stage during the event.

The glazed "Bellarmine" jar was found on the site of the former Turk's Head Inn, beneath the Tipping Street car park.

The exploration is in preparation for the possible construction of new offices and retail space for Staffordshire County Council.

The site excavations have opened a window on Stafford's past that could stretch back as far as prehistory.

Carbon deposits in the gravel deep down could be an indication of human activity on the hillock above the marsh, going back thousands of years.

The dig has brought to light Stafford's role as a major manufacturing centre in the Anglo-Saxon period – around the time of the now-famous Staffordshire Hoard.

Three kilns have been discovered, along with thousands of shards of high-class Stafford ware pottery, indicating pottery-making was a big thing for Staffordshire more than 1,400 years ago.

The open day will also offer people the chance to meet Steve Dean, the man at the heart of Staffordshire's archaeological golden age.

The council's archaeology expert is central to the Staffordshire Hoard story – perhaps the most exciting discovery of Anglo-Saxon gold ever made.

Councillor Mark Winnington said: "Archaeological wonders seem to be pouring out of the ground in Staffordshire at the moment.

"The finds are showing Staffordshire has always been a centre for civilisation, creativity and economic dynamism.

"Our past and future are rich with extraordinary stories of energy and enterprise."

The Tipping Street site will be open to the public from 10am to 4pm.

Experts from Oxford Archaeology and the County Archaeological Service will be on hand to answer questions.