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A 73-year-old man who vandalised a 5,000-year-old stone monument has been ordered to pay £10,000.

Roger Penny, of Chewton Mendip, appeared before Taunton Crown Court after he damaged one of the Priddy Stone Circles, which is on his land.

Penny had pleaded guilty to charges, at an earlier hearing at South Somerset and Mendip Magistrates’ Court.

He was fined £2,500 plus costs of £7,500, but has pledged to pay up to £40,000 extra to help make repairs.

Damage ‘significant‘

Recorder Jeremy Wright said that it was “sad to see a man of your age and good character before the court”.

However, he said: “Your actions may have meant that significant archaeological information has been lost.

“Although some evidence may be available, it’s significance and value has been significantly diminished by the damage you have done.”

Penny has agreed to pay up to £38,000, according to English Heritage (EH), to help put things on the site right again.

An EH spokesperson described the damage as a “major incident”, adding the structure was one of only about 80 henges in England.

They said the loss of the fabric to the henge meant a “really, really rare piece of Neolithic engineering had been lost forever”.

‘Completely bulldozed‘

The damage included the destruction of a circular ditch which was completely bulldozed, and damage to the monument itself, the spokesperson said.

EH is still unsure whether the monument can be restored to its original condition.

In April, the court was told the damage was carried out between April and October 2011.

Magistrates were told work had taken place on land next to the B3195, known as Stable Cottage and Huntsman Cottage, which contained the southernmost circle of the monument.

Penny, of The Grange, Back Lane, Chewton Mendip, was charged in connection with causing or permitting work without scheduled monument consent or development consent contrary to Section 2(1) of the Ancient Monuments Archaeological Areas Act 1979.

bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-20096114

Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979
legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1979/46

A priceless prehistoric gold lozenge excavated in the 19th century will be put on public display for the first time when the new Neolithic gallery at Wiltshire Heritage Museum in Devizes opens next year.

The museum was awarded a £370,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund earlier this year to finance the new gallery, which will be built at the rear of the museum and is due to open in May.

Secure display units will enable the museum to show items that were thought too valuable for public display.

Foremost of these is the large gold lozenge that was found in the Bush Barrow grave near Stonehenge, dating from around 1900BC, which was excavated by William Cunnington in 1808.

David Dawson, director of the museum, said: “A replica of the lozenge has always been on display here but as far as I am aware the original has never been put on show.

“The HLF grant has now enabled us to afford high- security measures.”

Other items from the grave to be put on show are a mace, the head of which was made from a rare flecked fossil stone from Devon, while the
handle was embellished with bone zigzag mounts, and a smaller lozenge, which may well have been mounted on the handle of the mace.

There are also more recent finds in the new galleries including items from the grave of the Roundway Warrior, also excavated by William Cunnington in 1855, items from an Anglo-Saxon cemetery that was excavated in 1991 and artefacts from a dig by the Army at Barrow Clump near Figheldean on Salisbury Plain earlier this year.

Building work on the new galleries is due to begin in December and the fitting out is scheduled to run from January to the end of March. The objects will be installed during April, ready for the grand opening in May.

Dr Dawson said: “We want to open the galleries in time for our summer season.”

thisiswiltshire.co.uk/news/9974709._/

From the Press and Journal website (19 October 2012):

A mothballed prehistory park in Aberdeenshire is now available for let – which could finally clear the way for it to be put up for sale.

Archaeolink at Oyne closed last year after the local authority withdrew all funding for the venture long labelled a “white elephant” by critics.

Negotiations between Aberdeenshire Council and the Archaeolink Trust had been continuing over the possibility of reviving the site, but earlier this year the now-dissolved trust transferred its lease of the site back to the council.

pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/2978450

According to a report in today’s Guardian, Channel 4 has decided to axe Time Team after almost 20 years on air. Around four years ago the programme was apparently attracting around 2.5 million viewers but recently appears to have “lost its way.” Mick Aston is quoted as saying that it had been “dumbed down” and that there was “a lot less archaeological content and a lot more pratting about.” Channel 4 is quoted as saying that it wants to “focus on new and innovative history programming.”

“Recent investigation of Skokholm by the Royal Commission using LiDAR has revealed extraordinary new details about the prehistoric and medieval occupation of this remote and beautiful Pembrokeshire island. The Commission’s own Olly Davis describes some of these recent discoveries in the fifth episode in the ITV Wales series Dream Island on Friday 19th at 8pm.”

More here – heritageofwalesnews.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/new-discoveries-reveal-hidden.html

Archaeologists have uncovered the remains of what they believe to be a Bronze Age bathing site or sauna.

More info :

bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-19976653

The Ness of Brodgar excavation continues:

“The earliest stage we have is about 3300BC – about 5,300 years ago – and we have evidence this particular site was in use for over 1,000 years.”

Sunday Express article

From The Independent 12/10/2012

A detailed laser scan of the entire monument has discovered 72 previously unknown Early Bronze Age carvings chipped into 5 of the giant stones.

More info :

independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/revealed-early-bronze-age-carvings-suggest-stonehenge-was-a-huge-prehistoric-art-gallery.8202812.html

english-heritage.org.uk/about/news/stonehenge-solstitial-function/

“The laser scan has revealed significant differences in the way the stones were shaped and worked. These differences show that Stonehenge was not only aligned with the solstices, but that the view of the monument from the Avenue, its ancient processional way to the north east, was particularly important. ”

Also they have discovered 71 ! new carvings of axes.

bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-19808130

The Dorset County Museum is asking for help to raise £23,000 to buy the Chesil Mirror, found by a metal detectorist near Abbotsbury in 2010.

The copper alloy mirror is characteristic of the late Iron Age and is similar to the Portesham Mirror that is already part of the Dorchester museum’s collection.

Fewer than 30 mirrors of the type have been found in the UK.

The Chesil Mirror was among the grave goods in a burial dating to the time of the Roman conquest between Abbotsbury and Chickerell.

The grave goods included two brooches, an armlet, copper tweezers, coins and several glass beads.

The collection was declared treasure last year and the Secretary of State set its value at £23,000.

An appeal was started among museum members earlier this year but this week sees the start of a major campaign to raise the sum.

Museum director Jon Murden said: “This mirror is very important to us because it is closely connected with the one we acquired in 1994 and is decorated in a similar way.

“These rare and fascinating objects are significant because they tell us so much about power and wealth in iron Age Dorset.

“We hope this appeal will encourage local people to support us so that we can buy the mirror and give it pride of place in our Archaeology Gallery.”

The museum is planning a series of fundraising events and will be applying for various funds and grants to help with the purchase.

An appeal fund has been set up and people can donate by cheque payable to DNHAS to the Chesil Mirror Appeal, Dorset County Museum, High West Street, Dorchester, DT1 1XA.

Fundraising events include a lecture on 30th November by Professor Andrew Fitzpatrick of Wessex Archaeology. He will talk about the significance of the Chesil Mirror and explain how it fits into our wider understanding of Iron Age Dorset.

dorchesterpeople.co.uk/Appeal-way-save-Iron-Age-treasure-Dorset/story-17004835-detail/story.html

The Friends of Ilkley Moor have launched a Cup and Ring Stone GPS (global positioning system) trail so that owners of GPS systems, including the latest mobile phones, can find them.

yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/at-a-glance/main-section/uncovered-secrets-of-ilkley-moor-s-rock-art-1-4925780

Heritage of Wales News reports today that -

“Skokholm is a small island half a mile across located off the south western coast of Pembrokeshire, about two miles south of its larger island neighbour Skomer. Using innovative new survey techniques a small team from the Royal Commission has been investigating how people lived and farmed these Pembrokeshire islands in the past – much of the focus has recently been on Skomer, – but now, the fascinating story of Skokholm is beginning to be revealed.

“In the early twentieth century archaeologists recorded flint scatters on the island – probably the waste from the production of flint blades and scrapers by Mesolithic hunter-gatherers. But now, guided by an extraordinary new LiDAR survey of Skokholm, which uses a laser mounted on an aircraft to create a highly detailed terrain model of the island’s ground surface, we’ve been able to reveal the fields and settlements of the Iron Age and Medieval inhabitants and begin to tell their story.”

More here – heritageofwalesnews.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/new-discoveries-reveal-hidden.html

This article appeared in last Saturday’s edition of The Times under the heading “Discovery of Mesolithic camp sheds light on the origins of Stonehenge”. It relates to the exhibition held at Amesbury earlier in the year on the finds and work around Blick Mead.
sis-group.org.uk/news/stonehenge-mesolithic.htm

(Source: “Current Archaeology” No 271:28-33)

Preparations for our big dig at Carwynnen Quoit went into full swing on Monday September 10th when a large crane arrived on site to dismantle the pile of stones and temporarily remove them to a safe place. This was an exciting although potentially nerve wracking exercise! The stones have lain in a disorganised pile for more than 40 years when the monument collapsed in 1966. Since then a large number of other stones have been added to the pile, many of them very large, and these had been heaped up, over and upon the ancient capstone and its companion uprights.

Carwynnen is a portal dolmen: essentially a stone monument with an open chamber formed by three large granite uprights which support a splendid majestic capstone. In an early measured survey carried out by the antiquarians Lukis and Borlase in the late 19th century, another two stones were recorded. One lay flat to one side of the monument and this was shadowed by a small squared upright placed next to it. We know that this ancient monument was therefore made up of at least 6 stones. These lay in a muddle within the heap. Over 130 years later a detailed plan of this heap was made and this excellent survey was a great help as it identified the six main stones. The challenge was to unpick the pile and remove those stones which we know were part of this ancient monument and place them to one side so that they can be studied further before they are brought back together and reassembled when the quoit is restored.

The whole operation ran extremely smoothly thanks to the planning and care carried out by the team from The Sustainable Trust. Each of the main stones were systematically removed from the pile, lifted by webbing strops carefully secured into place. They were then moved by the crane. As they were momentarily held, suspended in temporary flight, each was weighed. The finely dressed uprights each weigh on average 2 tonnes and the beautiful capstone clocks in at a massive 9.8 tonnes! Imagine how the ancients put this monument together over 5,000 years ago – the skill, operational management and engineering skills are truly astonishing. These fine stones now lie close to the site and the field has become a dormitory of sleeping giants waiting to be awoken and once again reunited as the Giant’s Quoit.

bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-19554301

“Perhaps one of the greatest mysteries surrounding Stonehenge is the origins of the stones themselves. How did bluestones from the Welsh Preseli Mountains become the construction material for the site of Stonehenge built some 5000 years ago?

“Professor Mike Parker Pearson of University College London is leading a collaborative project involving universities from across the UK in looking at this enigma. Their work has brought them back to Preseli in search of the quarries and sites that may be the start of the longest journey for megaliths anywhere in prehistoric Europe.

“Following initial investigations in 2011 the team have returned to excavate a quarry site at Brynberian, North Pembrokeshire,

“On Tuesday 18th of September at 7pm, at Brynberian Old School, Professor Mike Parker Pearson will be presenting a talk on the results of the project so far. Everyone is welcome to attend and there will be a small charge to cover refreshments.”

Tivyside Advertiser – tivysideadvertiser.co.uk/news/9922213.Stonehenge_s_Preseli_link/

A HENGE – or Prehistoric monument – may have been unearthed on the outskirts of Bishop’s Stortford.

Archaeologists investigating sites earmarked for thousands of new homes on the town’s ASRs – areas of special restraint – believe they could have found a Neolithic earthwork in the form of a ritual enclosure on the site along the A120 bypass.

The land – ASRs 1 to 4 – is the subject of a planning application by the Bishop’s Stortford North Consortium of developers and as part of the scheme, a series of trial trenches have been dug to investigate and evaluate their historic potential.

Similar work is being undertaken on ASR 5, which is the subject of a smaller application by Countryside Properties, close to Hazel End.

A report by the county council’s historic environment unit says: “Although these investigations are still ongoing (some of the trial trenches are visible from the Bishop’s Stortford bypass and Farnham and Hazel End Roads), some interesting archaeology has been identified in both prospective development areas.

“Interpretation is tentative at this stage but the Hazel End site, involving trenches on both fields alongside Hazel End Road, has identified the remains of a probable burial mound, of Late Neolithic (c4500-2500BC) or Early Bronze Age date (c2500-1700BC) several ditches, pits and post-holes of probable Bronze Age date, and, in the lower field next to the River Stort, a roughly cobbled surface covered with Late Iron Age and Roman pottery.

“Investigations within the larger area, enclosed by the bypass, have identified an enclosure and ditches of probable Iron Age date (c800-100BC) an enclosure of possible Roman date (further excavation may clarify this) and also another prehistoric burial or possible henge (a ritual enclosure) of late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age date (c3000-1700BC).

“This circular, ditched feature appears to contain several cremation burials in the ditch and it has a central feature that may also be a burial. If so, it is potentially, an important find.”

The finds would have to be excavated in detail and recorded before new homes could be built. Alternatively they could potentially be protected and preserved – barring new construction.

Stonehenge, near Salisbury in Wiltshire, is the country’s most famous henge, but a  spokesman for the consortium was clear: “As expected on a site of this size and in this location – on the edge of a historic town – there’s archaeology but not of any particular significance and it would not prevent development occurring on our site.

“As a responsible developer we are responding to the finds by extending some of the trenches to check whether there’s anything else there.

“The finds are of local interest, but the condition is such that do not warrant preservation in situ.”

hertsandessexobserver.co.uk/News/Bishops-Stortford/Archaeologists-uncover-remains-of-Stortford-henge-11092012.htm

We appeal to the Planning Inspectorate to safeguard our national heritage by upholding the decision of Sheffield City Council to refuse planning permission to build on the line of an ancient monument known as ‘The Roman Ridge’. Planning Inspectorate Reference: APP/J4423/A/12/2180681/NWF.

This 27km ancient earthwork, not yet fully understood or dated, runs along the side of the Scheduled Iron Age Hill Fort at Wincobank. As a Celtic defensive frontier against both the early Roman invaders and the later Saxons, it has the same historic value as Hadrian‘s Wall and Offa’s Dyke. It is a monument of local and national significance.

Petition here – change.org/en-GB/petitions/the-planning-inspectorate-refuse-planning-permission-to-build-houses-on-the-historic-roman-ridge-2?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

“These exhibitions represent one person’s ambition to capture the spirit of this beautiful, quintessentially English countryside in a series of 24 paintings inspired by the topography of that most ancient of tracks, The Ridgeway, steeped in history, fought over, threatened by population, housing, traffic, erosion, climate and agriculture; ever changing.”

Details here – theheritagetrust.wordpress.com/2012/09/02/a-ridgeway-journey-an-exhibition-by-landscape-artist-anna-dillon/

Writing in The Art Newspaper today Emily Sharpe reports that -

“The cleaning of an Elizabethan tapestry map has revealed what may be the earliest depiction of the Rollright Stones, a series of Neolithic and Bronze Age megaliths in the English Midlands, says Maggie Wood, the keeper of social history at Warwickshire Museum. What appears to be a small stone circle is now visible in the lower right-hand corner of the Sheldon Tapestry Map of Warwickshire. Other details, including tiny cottages nestled among the trees, are also now visible. The textile was cleaned and conserved in 2011 in preparation for its inclusion in the British Museum’s exhibition “Shakespeare: Staging the World” (until 25 November).”

Full article here – theartnewspaper.com/articles/Ancient+stones+revealed+on+tapestry/27052 .

It is an excellent video.....

Orkney is world-famous for its spectacular Neolithic archaeology, and now visitors from all over the globe will be able to explore one of its most enigmatic monuments, after a new virtual tour of Maeshowe chambered tomb went live today (29 August).

In a video unveiled yesterday by Scotland’s Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, the structure of the 5,000 year old monument has been recreated using 3D laser-scans carried out by the Scottish Ten project – a collaboration between Historic Scotland, Glasgow School of Art and CyArk, to document Scotland’s five UNESCO World Heritage Sites and five international sites using cutting-edge digital technology. This data will be used to help research and conserve the monuments.

Maeshowe is shown at the winter solstice, when the setting sun shines directly down the monument’s entrance tunnel to illuminate its central chamber. Covering every inch of the inner rooms of the tomb, the animation also tours the outside of the mound and reveals how it was constructed in a detailed cut through.

‘Maeshowe has fascinated people for millennia with its incredible structure, having been built even before Egypt’s great pyramids,’ Nicola Sturgeon said. ‘Now, people on the other side of the world can use this new tour to get a better understanding of the ancient and magical history Scotland has on offer.’

She added: ‘This is a special moment for the Scottish Ten project, which will see all five Scottish World Heritage Sites and five international sites digitally recorded using laser-scanning technology. The work will aid in their conservation and the practical data has also allowed the creation of a beautiful vision of Maeshowe at the Winter Solstice, to educate and inspire people to come to see it for themselves, along with the other treasures of Orkney’s Neolithic World Heritage Site.’

archaeology.co.uk/articles/news/chamber-of-secrets-historic-scotland-launches-virtual-tour-of-maeshowe.htm?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=chamber-of-secrets-historic-scotland-launches-virtual-tour-of-maeshowe

Taken from Current Archaeology

Since 2007, excavations to rescue irreplaceable archaeological remains being lost to erosion beneath the Links of Notland on the Orkney Island of Westray have unearthed a fascinating and valuable hoard of Neolithic and Bronze Age artefacts.

The latest to emerge from the depths of pre-history is a third hand-carved stone figurine, which joins two similar Bronze Age carved figures found at the site. The first, discovered in 2009, is believed to be the earliest artistic representation of the human form ever found in the British Isles.

All three are now to be displayed at the Westray Heritage Centre, where the public will be able to see for themselves the level of artistry and invention of our prehistoric ancestors and find out more about the Notland settlements and other material uncovered there.

But it is the trio of figurines which is eliciting most excitement. Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop led a visit from the Scottish Cabinet today and described them as an “unprecedented find”.

“The level of artistry, workmanship and skill demonstrated by these and the other finds at Links of Noltland clearly shows that our ancestors of 5000 years ago were a cultured and intelligent community,” added the Minister.

“It also allows us to speculate about what motivated and inspired them – were these used in ritual, what significance did they have and how common were they?

In 2009 an exhibition showing the first figurine, known as the Westray Wifey or Orkney Venus, toured around Scotland and was seen by more than 100,000 people before it returned to the Westray Heritage Centre where it has helped to increase visitor figures.

Excavations at the site which has attracted interest from archaeologists since the 19th century, will resume in September and the public are welcome to visit.

•You can see the figurines and other exhibits at the Westray Heritage Centre, Pierowall ,Westray, KW17 2BZ. Contact 01857 677414 or [email protected] for more information.

culture24.org.uk/history%20%26%20heritage/archaeology/art398551

Taken from Culture24 – Richard Moss

A BBC video on the discovery of this (slightly empty) henge.....

Circular earthworks dating back to the stone age have been discovered on the North Downs in Kent.

The henge was found after satellite images were studied by archaeologists.

The circle is about 50m across and archaeologists said bones discovered in the area suggest it was a religious site.

bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-19304983#

guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/jul/31/silchester-iron-age-roman-britain

A bit of shameless self-promotion here.

Alison and I have an exhibition of our work titled ‘Traces’ at The Treasure House, Beverley, East Yorkshire opening on Saturday 4th August and finishing Saturday 29th September. the link below takes you to a pdf from the museum website and we’re on page 6. If I can find a better link I’ll let you know and if anyone’s in the area do come and have a look. Thanks.

www2.eastriding.gov.uk/leisure/museums-and-galleries/east-riding-museums-and-galleries/museum-at-the-treasure-house/#temporary-exhibition-programme