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Perranporth Church Uncovering

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Incoming Traveller I
Incoming Traveller Sep 19, 2005 10:45:46

What is possibly the oldest church in Britain is being uncovered (again!) from the sand dunes at Perranporth, Cornwall. However, it looks like other discoveries are being covered up - rumour (from a good source) has it that a couple of human skeletons have been found at the site, one 7 feet in length, the other 8 feet. The British Museum have now got them but apparently are denying all knowledge.

I can't find anything to link to so I'm afraid that's about all the info I have. Does anyone know any more about this? It could, of course, just be a bureaucratic mess rather than something sinister!

S Sounder
Sounder Sep 19, 2005 13:14:17
Replying to Incoming Traveller

That sounds interesting - are there any websites you' recommend with a history of the place or additional info?

S sam
sam Sep 19, 2005 13:57:24
Replying to Incoming Traveller

You could try contacting the guy mentioned on here:

http://www.cornisharchaeology.org.uk/fieldwork.html

M merlin2
merlin2 Sep 20, 2005 20:15:53
Replying to Incoming Traveller

Yes went there 25 years ago

M merlin2
merlin2 Sep 20, 2005 20:15:53
Replying to Incoming Traveller

Yes went there 25 years ago

M merlin2
merlin2 Sep 20, 2005 20:15:56
Replying to Incoming Traveller

Yes went there 25 years ago

P PeterH
PeterH Sep 20, 2005 21:04:24
Replying to Incoming Traveller

I went inside in 1967, but couldn't get any photos. Very strange atmosphere as it was below ground level with sand slipping down all the time. Not much to see on the outside - just a concrete protective shell which is shown here: http://www.megalithic.co.uk/modules.php?op=modload&name=a312&file=index&do=showpic&pid=12313

P phil
phil Sep 23, 2005 20:48:31
Replying to Incoming Traveller

'What is possibly the oldest church in Britain is being uncovered (again!) from the sand dunes at Perranporth, Cornwall'

Hi IT,
I found some useful stuff at St. Piran Trust website
http://www.st-piran.com/main.htm
The dig is taking place on Perran sands at the ruined medieval church not the to be confused with the ancient chapel in the bunker.

The Piran Trust also has a good dig diary
http://www.st-piran.com/dignews.htm

The site probably falls outside the TMA guidelines but I notice the site is known as 'Gear sands' this name would indicate a more ancient site may lie beneath the church.

So far the dig has envolved maily the removal of turf and tons of sand , a few bones were turned up but nothing to sinister as yet!

D dick cole
dick cole Oct 10, 2005 17:38:54
Replying to Incoming Traveller

As the archaeologist in charge of the recently completed excavation at St Piran's Church, Perranzabuloe, I have had my attention brought to the comments on this website.

The main aim of the dig was to remove sand from the centre of the ruin of the church to make it a better amenity for local people. We have achieved this and it is worth a visit. Four evaluation trenches were excavated around the church to investigate geophysical anomalies.

Concerning the rumours of large skeletons whisked away from the dig by the British Museum, I can confim that this is nonsense! A single skeleton of a child was discovered - this was not disturbed and it was covered over again. All the other pieces of (disarticulated) bone that we came across were reburied on site prior to the area being re-turfed.

I hope this information helps.

Dick Cole
Archaeologist
Historic Environment Service
Cornwall County Council