|
 Log in |
Register
|
|
|
News
Dartmoor tomb treasure hoard uncovered by archaeologistsStill in the news, though we have missed the tv show last night ;( Archaeologists from around the UK have been examining a hoard of treasures unearthed in a 4,000-year-old tomb on Dartmoor. Prehistoric jewellery, animal pelts and beads made of amber were among the finds about two years ago in the burial chamber. The chamber, known as a cist, was found on Whitehorse Hill, near Chagford. Dartmoor National Park archaeologists have called it the most important ancient find on the moor. When they levered off the chamber's lid they discovered an intact burial of cremated remains. Coiled bag The coiled bag has been specially cleaned It was wrapped in an animal pelt, containing a delicate bracelet studded with tin beads, a textile fragment with detailed leather fringing and a unique coiled bag. Jane Marchand, Dartmoor National Park's chief archaeologist, said: "Visibly it's not as impressive as Stonehenge, but archaeologically it's just as important. "It was incredibly exciting to lift the lid and a bead fell out." At the Wiltshire Conservation Lab, the team had the delicate task of trying to reveal the secrets of the coiled bag containing rare beads. Just eight beads have been found on Dartmoor in the last 100 years. "We're awaiting DNA results on the pelt so we can identify what animal it might have come from. "Amazing doesn't really do them justice. It's the most extraordinary assortment of finds with tin beads and wooden ear studs." Archaeologists say the discovery also points to the earliest evidence of tin found in the South West. Mystery of the Moor, a BBC Inside Out South West programme, is on BBC One on Friday at 19.30 GMT. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-26081571? |
Posted by moss8th February 2014ce Edited 8th February 2014ce
|
Comments (4) |
|
|
The BBC Inside Out South West programme, Mystery of the Moor, about the discovery is available on iPlayer: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b03t8vxg/Mystery_of_the_Moor/ |
Posted by baza8th February 2014ce |
| Fabulous! Thank you for that, experimental archaeology 'rocks'.... |
Posted by moss 8th February 2014ce |
| very enjoyable prog ,although a pity that there was no mention of the discoverer of the cist , Joe Turner . |
Posted by tiompan11th February 2014ce |
|
A bit of delving shows that he wrote a 'report' in the Devon archaeology magazine. He was out doing fieldwork when he discovered it, so must be an archaeologist? The monument was only scheduled in 2003, just added a link for that... p.s.It is a monument at high risk according to EH because of the eroding peat. |
Posted by moss 12th February 2014ce |
| You must be logged in to add a comment | |
Top of page