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Possible stone circle find near monument

From the BBC website, story by Andrew Dawkins;

Archaeologists excavating the area around an historic stone formation believe a man-made ring of stones, known as a stone circle, may have been found at the site.

Arthur’s Stone in Dorstone, Herefordshire, is said to mark the spot where King Arthur slew a giant.

Professor of archaeology at The University of Manchester Julian Thomas said a survey had shown up a circle about 20m (65.6ft) across that seemed to “not be of natural origin”.

....

Prof Thomas said when work started at Arthur’s Stone, a trench was opened up “the other side of the hedge from the monument”.

He added: “[We] found that there are further prehistoric features there, so we’ve got an avenue which starts out as an avenue of timbers and is replaced by an avenue of stones.

“[This] runs down the hill from the monument itself and as a response to that, we conducted further surveys.”

Prof Thomas said one thing it showed up was a circle, which “looks like it’s perhaps a barrow or a timber circle or a stone circle”.

But it was “certainly something made by human beings” and about half of that was now being opened up, with a stone circle thought to be the most likely outcome.

Full story at bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjqeyv5qnyeo.amp

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Attack on Men Scryfa (late May 2023)

From the CASPN website:

On Thursday 1st June, CASPN received a very concerning message from a member of the public that there had been an attack on Mên Scryfa, an inscribed stone that stands below Carn Galva (& probably formerly a Bronze Age menhir). Someone had poured petrol (or similar liquid) over the top of the stone and set it on fire – blackening the top part of the stone’s north side and burning off all the lichen from that part of the stone. In addition, someone had also dug around the base of the stone to a depth of about 20cm (4”).
CASPN immediately contacted the police and other authorities to report this mindless act of vandalism against a scheduled monument. I visited Mên Scryfa on Friday to see the damage for myself – and am just so shocked and disappointed that anyone would want to do such a thing to one of our precious ancient sites.
James Kitto
Chair of CASPN

* Postscript: We now know that this dreadful attack took place before the afternoon of Sunday 28th May. Any further information may be shared with CASPN or reported to the police.

cornishancientsites.com/2023/06/12/attack-on-men-scryfa/

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Prehistoric stones destroyed for DIY store

Around 40 standing stones thought to have been erected by prehistoric humans 7,000 years ago have been destroyed near a famed archaeological site in northwest France to make way for a DIY store, an angry local historian has revealed.

But local archaeologist Obeltz believes local authorities failed to properly investigate.

“There weren’t archaeological excavations in order to know if the stones were menhirs or not,” he said.

“We’re witnessing a series of failings. The state no longer protects our fellow citizens or our heritage. Appalling,” far-right leader Marine Le Pen said on Twitter.

When contacted, the Mr. Bricolage group said it “sincerely regretted the situation” but pointed to authorisations for its store granted last year.

france24.com/en/live-news/20230608-anger-as-pre-historic-stones-destroyed-for-french-diy-store

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Kent’s Cavern up for sale

“Kents Cavern, described as ‘the most important prehistoric cave complex in Britain’, is up for sale for £2.5m

It is billed by the estate agent as “Britain’s oldest home” and includes a network of caves featuring stalagmites and stalactites, a collection of full-size (replica) ice age animals, and an acre of woodland trails.

Kents Cavern in Devon, which has been open to the public since the 19th century and in the ownership of the same family for 100 years, is up for sale for a very modern-sounding £2m to £2.5m.”

[Continues at theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/may/11/devon-bolt-hole-caves-for-sale-billed-as-britains-oldest-home]

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Historic England releases map based on 500,000 aerial pictures

“More than half a million aerial images of historical sites in England have been used for a new mapping tool.

Photographs and 3D laser scans have been taken over the past 30 years to uncover “hidden archaeological landscapes”, Historic England said.

Sites include 6,000-year-old long barrows, Roman camps such as those on Hadrian’s Wall and 20th Century areas linked to the world wars.

The map covers more than half of the country.”

More here (BBC website):
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-58817448.amp

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Greenstone platform found at Trethevy

An archaeological excavation at Trethevy Quoit near Darite has made an exciting discovery which means that our understanding of the prehistoric site will have to be reassessed.

Between 9th and 13th July, more than thirty volunteers took part in the dig, which was supervised by Andy Jones and Ryan Smith of the Cornwall Archaeological Unit.

A geophysical survey had been undertaken in the field around the monument earlier this year and recorded a number of below-ground anomalies, which were targeted through excavation.

The largest below-ground feature was positioned close to the Quoit itself and, on investigation, this was found to be a significant platform of greenstone. The material had been quarried locally and brought to the site. It was clearly an integral part of the monument.

cornwallheritagetrust.org/exciting-discovery-at-trethevy-quoit-archaeological-dig/

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Barrow discovered near Looe

An Archaeologist at The Australian National University (ANU) has discovered a prehistoric Bronze-Age barrow, or burial mound, on a hill in Cornwall and is about to start excavating the untouched site which overlooks the English Channel.

The site dates back to around 2,000 BC and was discovered by chance when ANU Archaeologist Dr Catherine Frieman, who was conducting geophysical surveys of a known site outside the village of Looe in Cornwall, was approached by a farmer about a possible site in a neighbouring field.

“He told us about a ‘lump’ on his land and that nobody knew what it was, so he asked us to take a look at it,” said Dr Frieman, who is a Senior Lecturer in the ANU School of Archaeology and Anthropology.

“So we ran our equipment over a 1,600 metre square area and sure enough we found a quite obvious circular ditch – about 15 metres across – with a single entrance pointing south east and a bunch of pits in the middle.

More here: phys.org/news/2018-03-archaeologist-cornish-barrow-site.amp?__twitter_impression=true

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Cadw to remain in Government

The Welsh Government’s historic environment service Cadw will remain part of Welsh Government for the foreseeable future, Culture Minister Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas confirmed today.

As a government division, Cadw has put a greater focus on diversifying its appeal over recent years, becoming more economically sustainable and improving its ‘big 10’ attractions – something which has paid dividends, with record attendance numbers in 2017, up 8.4% on the previous summer.

Earlier this year a steering group report (Historic Wales – A roadmap towards Success, Resilience and Sustainability for the Heritage of Wales) included a specific recommendation relating to the future governance of Cadw. A robust business case was then taken forward to identify the best option.

The business case considered the steering group’s recommendations that Cadw should become ‘a charitable body or an executive agency outside of Welsh Government’. This was measured against the status quo, undertaking an in depth analysis of the functions of Cadw and the drivers for change.

The case was taken to Cabinet colleagues in October, with Dafydd Elis-Thomas happy to implement the decision to accept its core recommendation that the successes of Cadw are best built on and developed from within Government.

The Culture Minister said:

“I have long admired the good work done by Cadw in showcasing some of the magnificent heritage we have here in Wales, opening it up for all to enjoy.

“This has been done largely from within Government, and whilst it was appropriate at this juncture to explore all avenues as to how we can build on this success, I’m pleased to implement Cabinet’s decision to accept the business case’s clear recommendation that Cadw should remain part of Welsh Government.

“But it is also imperative that Cadw looks to evolve and progress, keeping up with best practices and having the flexibility and courage to make the best decisions for all its stakeholders and for the thousands of historic sites that comprise our unique historic environment.

“On this basis, I’m equally pleased to accept recommendations relating to increased autonomy for Cadw in certain aspects. These include establishing a formal system of delegation and internal freedoms, making best use of strategic partnerships between national organisations and establishing an internal operating board.

“These recommendations will maximise the contribution that Cadw can make to an accessible and well-protected historic environment for Wales. In particular they will help ensure that the public continues to have the best possible quality monuments, attractions and events to enjoy.”

Cadw is the Welsh Government’s Historic Environment Service, working for an accessible and well-protected historic environment for Wales. It looks after and opens to the public 129 monuments across Wales. Of these, 29 are staffed sites and the remainder are free open-access sites.

gov.wales/newsroom/culture-tourism-sport/2017/171121-cadw-to-remain-in-government/?skip=1&lang=en

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Archaeologists unearthing secrets of ancient hillfort in Oldbury-on-Severn

Little is known about the Iron Age fort, with mysteries and theories around when it was built and why it was built on the low land rather than, as the name suggests, on a hill.

The two-week excavation dig, which is being led by archaeologists DigVentures and A Forgotten Landscape, a South Gloucestershire Council-funded landscape partnership, is hoping to turn back the hands of time to find out more about the purpose of the hillfort.

More here:
gazetteseries.co.uk/news/15375035.Archaeologists_unearthing_secrets_of_ancient_hillfort_in_Oldbury_on_Severn/

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Grime’s Graves to open a second pit to the public

A challenging descent by ladder, winch and harness into a prehistoric underworld will open to the public for the first time this year, allowing exploration of shafts and galleries cut deep under Norfolk heathland more than 4,000 years ago.

The extraordinary surface landscape of Grime’s Graves, pockmarked with hundreds of shallow depressions, puzzled people for many centuries until they were identified about 150 years ago as neolithic flint mines.

More at theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/mar/06/prehistoric-norfolk-mine-grimes-graves-to-open-second-pit-to-public

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Wales heritage bodies reject formal merger

Welsh heritage bodies have rejected a formal merger of any of their functions.

But government-controlled Cadw will become independent in recommendations to Economy Secretary Ken Skates.

An independent review of National Museum Wales (NMW) will also be held and will be published by the summer.

It follows strong opposition to proposals to merge some commercial functions of heritage bodies into a new organisation Historic Wales.

google.co.uk/amp/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/38841763?client=safari

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Grayling gives go-ahead for tunnel

A tunnel is to be built under Stonehenge under plans announced by ministers, in a move that will reignite the controversy over improving major roads around the ancient site.

Chris Grayling said he was taking a “big decision” to transform the A303, one of the main arteries to the south-west and a notorious bottleneck for lorries and holidaymakers, as part of a £2bn investment.

theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jan/12/stonehenge-a303-tunnel-chris-grayling-world-heritage-site?CMP=share_btn_tw

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Prehistoric tombs may have enhanced astronomical viewing

Astronomers are exploring what might be described as the first astronomical observing tool, potentially used by prehistoric humans 6,000 years ago. They suggest that the long, narrow entrance passages to ancient stone, or ‘megalithic’, tombs may have enhanced what early human cultures could see in the night sky, an effect that could have been interpreted as the ancestors granting special power to the initiated.

Full story:

sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/06/160629221836.htm

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Chauvet-Pont d’Arc cave art 10000yrs older than thought

“Some of the world’s oldest prehistoric artwork, located in the Chauvet-Pont d’Arc cave in southeastern France, is actually 10,000 years older than previously thought, researchers said Tuesday.

The red and black cave drawings contained in the cave are more than 30,000 years old, according to a radiocarbon dating study published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a peer-reviewed US journal.”

More here:

rfi.my/20ACLug

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Largest Neolithic site in Wales found on Ynys Mon

More than 2,000 artefacts possibly dating back as much as 6,000 years have been discovered on the site of a new school in Anglesey .

It is the largest ever Neolithic discovery in Wales after being discovered by archaeologists investigating the site at Llanfaethlu.

The ruins of three buildings have also been uncovered by the CR Archeology team who have been on site since November 2014.

Archeologist Cat Rees told the Daily Post : “Until about 50 years ago all we knew about this period in North Wales came from the megalithic tombs and chance finds but this changed with the discovery at Llandegai, Bangor of a single house.

‘Unlike anything else in North Wales‘
“To date less than five have been found in the whole of North Wales.

“This settlement (at Llanfaethlu) has the best preserved houses and is the only one which has more than one house.”

Speaking from the site Matt Jones said: “The number and quality of artefacts is unlike anything else in North Wales.

“The main excavation started and we found one building, which we originally thought was it.

“That alone was fantastic but we soon discovered two others, this may have been a village.”

Cat continued: “So far we can tell from the finds that people were using the site for at least 1,000 years and we have found more than 2,000 flint, stone and pottery artefacts.

“We also have burnt hazelnuts, acorns and seeds which will allow us to radiocarbon date the site and reconstruct the Neolithic diet.”

Archaeologist Vicky Hudson and Matt Jones.Archaeologist Vicky Hudson and Matt Jones.
Matt said there was even a chance the site may have been a stone axe factory, with high-quality stone from Penmaenmawr discovered.

But the dig almost never happened when a pit group was initially discovered in a small evaluation trench.

But the group returned to examine a larger area as the houses extended beyond the excavation limit.

‘Discoveries have been astonishing‘
Cat said Anglesey Council have been “so supportive” of their discoveries.

“The council backed us and the discoveries have been astonishing, I’ve never seen anything like it.”

In April last year a mysterious copper artefact was discovered at a Neolithic tomb near Brynsiencyn.

Neolithic pottery found at the site.Neolithic pottery found at the site.
The find was able to add weight to one of archeology’s burning questions on whether or not there was a British Copper Age.

Anglesey is rich with ancient monuments with approximately 30 Neolithic and Bronze age burial chambers on the island, several ancient settlements and standing stones.

The find at Llanfaethlu however is unlike any other in terms of the number of artefacts which will now be analysed and soil to be carbon dated.

CR Archeology, who will wrap up the site in the next few days have had locals visit the site every week and held public talks on their discoveries.

Pupils from the schools which the Llanfaethlu super school will replace have also been to visit.

walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/largest-ever-neolithic-site-wales-10269341

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New decorated stone found in Ness of Brodgar dig

‘One of the most remarkable decorated stones we’ve ever seen’

On this remarkable, sunny day we can do one of two things. We can ransack our box full of superlatives to describe what has happened, or just ask you to look at the photographs. Go for the pics, kindly supplied by Ola Thoenies (thank you Ola!)

orkneyjar.com/archaeology/nessofbrodgar/2015/08/dig-diary-monday-august-17-2015/

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Bronze Age trackway unearthed on Cleethorpes beach

A prehistoric trackway that could be more than 4,000 years old has been discovered on a beach in Cleethorpes.

The wooden track would have been used to cross a boggy landscape and is believed to be from the early Bronze Age, said archaeologists.

It was found during a coastal survey for a project into threatened archaeological sites.

More on BBC website:

bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-33732116

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Prehistoric Anglesey tomb to be excavated for archaeology event

“Residents will get the chance to see the dig in action at the Neolithic Bryn Celli Ddu site during a fortnight-long event which ends with a Summer Solstice celebration.

An ancient tomb on Anglesey will be excavated this summer as part of a two-week long archeology event.

The Neolithic passage tomb of Bryn Celli Ddu is one of Wales’s best-known prehistoric monuments.

The fortnight-long event starts on June 9 and will culminate in a public open day and celebration of the Summer Solstice from June 19-22.

The excavation of the tomb will be led by the Welsh Government’s historic environment service Cadw and Manchester Metropolitan University.

It is hoped it will break new ground exploring the landscape’s ‘rock art’- a term used in archaeology to describe the human-made markings discovered in natural stone.”

More at Daily Post:

dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/prehistoric-anglesey-tomb-excavated-archeology-9393252#ICID=sharebar_twitter

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Devon archaeological dig reveals "exciting" prehistoric finds

Follow up to news story from October.

“A Stone age knife, a Bronze age arrow head and a Roman nail are just some of the surprises uncovered by a new archaeological dig in Devon.

The idyllic fields around Spriddlestone, near Plymstock, were first identified as a potential area of historical interest by amateur archaeologist Howard Jones.

But what began as an armchair project to find a prehistoric settlement – with Google Maps as his only tool – has now progressed into a two-week on-site exploratory dig.”

Read more: westernmorningnews.co.uk/Devon-archaeological-dig-reveals-exciting/story-26142640-detail/story.html#ixzz3U0yoxIcB

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Bronze Age "bowman" found in Drumnadrochit cist

A bit more exciting than Nessie!

“DRUMNADROCHIT’S earliest-known resident, who lived around 4500 years ago, wore a stone guard on his wrist when using a bow and arrow and favoured geometric designs on his kitchenware.

Following the discovery last month of an early Bronze Age burial cist in the village, archaeologists have found shards of pottery and a wrist guard on the same site.”

Continues here:
inverness-courier.co.uk/News/Bone-bow-and-arrow-wrist-guard-and-pottery-found-with-Bronze-Age-body-in-Drumnadrochit-03022015.htm

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Bronze Age Rudham Dirk saved for museum

A spectacular new Norfolk treasure has been unveiled – after years of being used as a doorstop.

The 3,500-year-old Rudham Dirk, a ceremonial Middle Bronze Age dagger, was first ploughed up near East Rudham more than a decade ago. But the landowner didn’t realise what it was and was using it to prop open his office door.

And the bronze treasure even came close to being thrown in a skip, but luckily archaeologists identified it in time.

Now the dirk has been bought for Norfolk for close to £41,000 and is now on display in Norwich Castle Museum.

Dr John Davies, Chief Curator of Norfolk Museums Service, said: “This is one of the real landmark discoveries.”

The dirk – a kind of dagger – was never meant to be used as a weapon and was deliberately bent when it was made as an offering to the gods.

Only five others like it have ever been found in Europe – including one at Oxborough in 1988, which is now in the British Museum. But thanks to a £38,970 grant from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, following a £2,000 donation from the Norfolk and Norwich Archaeological Society, the Bronze Age treasure will now stay in the county.

Dr Tim Pestell, who is Curator of Archaeology with the NMS, has been negotiating with the (unnamed) landowner for almost a year. He said: “As soon as my colleagues told me about it we started to plan how we could acquire it, so it could stay in Norfolk and be on display here.”

Dr Andrew Rogers, whose team first identified the dirk, said he never expected the Oxborough discovery would be repeated. “It’s absolutely incredible. Gosh – to have a find like this twice in a lifetime – this is unbelievable,” he said.

The 1.9kg (4lb) dirk is made from bronze, which is nine-tenths copper and one-tenth tin. The nearest source for the copper is Wales, while the tin may have come from Cornwall.

Straightened out, it would be 68cm long, slightly shorter than the Oxborough example. It may even have been made in the same workshop, maybe even by the same craftsperson.

Sophie Cabot, president of the Norfolk and Norwich Archaeological Society, added: “We’re really excited – it would have been a great shame if we’d have lost it.”

edp24.co.uk/norfolk-life/archaeologists_hail_incredible_norfolk_bronze_age_discovery_1_3857540

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Devon treasure hunter locates Bronze Age settlement using Google Earth

exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/Devon-treasure-hunter-locates-Bronze-Age/story-23349132-detail/story.html

A Devon treasure hunter has stunned professional archaeologists by locating a Bronze Age settlement using Google Earth.

Howard Jones shunned the usual methods of finding ancient communities and relied on the internet instead.

He trawled satellite images for the sort of terrain that would have offered food, water and shelter for a prehistoric settlement.

Howard used Google’s overheard mapping site to zoom in on fields and farmland before pinpointing a spot in the South Hams.

The former Royal Marine then sought permission from the local landowner before heading down there to scour for remains.

He soon unearthed old flint tools, pottery shards and scraps of metal thought to date back 5,000 years.

Howard called in Devon County archaeologist Bill Horner who carried out a geophysical survey using ground-penetrating radar equipment .

The two men found two large buried structures that they believe are farm buildings dating back to the bronze or iron age.

Howard, a commercial diver from Plymstock, said: “Night after night I looked at Google Earth asking myself the question ‘if I was alive 3,000 years ago where would I live’.

“I would need food, water, shelter, close to Dartmoor for minerals, close to a river to access the sea and trade routes .

“After a few weeks I put an ‘X marks the spot’ on the map – that was where I would live.”

Not knowing who the site belonged to, Howard was initially unable to test his theory until he tumbled across the landowner by chance.

He said: “At kids rugby training one night I remembered that one of the other coaches was a farmer and I asked him if I could field walk and detect on his land.

“As I didn’t know where his farm was, I arranged for my family and I to meet him and he gave us a tour of his fields.

“It was then I found out that my ‘X marks the spot’ was on his land – it was unbelievable.”

Howard has previously searched for ancient artefacts underwater and in 2010 he was involved in the discovery of the 300-year-old Dutch merchant vessel the Aagtekerke off the Devon coast.

But after deciding to switch his search inland because of this year’s storms he hopes his latest find will prove his best yet.

Mr Horner has arranged for a series of trench digs, which could take place as early as February next year.

He says Howard’s web-inspired find could offer new insights into Bronze Age trading outposts.

Mr Horner said: “The survey shows two or three probable farmsteads which look to be late prehistoric, bronze age to iron age.

“Other parts of the underlying settlement possibly continue to the Romano-British period, around 1,500-2,000 years ago.

“The images also show tracks and enclosures, as well as a number of pits, which alongside Howard’s findings, looks like evidence of metal works.”

“We know that Devon’s mineral resources were being traded along the coast and along the channel in prehistoric times.

“While Dartmoor is famous for preserved historic sites, the same is not true of coastal areas. So this could be the missing link between those moorland sites and the evidence we have of trading.”

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1920s picnic picture recreated at ancient monument

A photograph of picnickers enjoying lunch at an ancient monument in Cornwall has been re-enacted almost a century after the original party packed up their hampers.

Photographer Andy Hughes, who has a studio in St Ives, was invited to recreate the scene by members of Sustrust, a history group responsible for rebuilding Carwynnen Quoit, near Camborne, earlier this year.

Using an old glass plate camera, the Truro College photography lecturer set up the shot as the original group had been arranged in 1925. He is currently processing the image and will be revealing the results in a few weeks.

Meanwhile, a number of professional photographers, including Colin Higgs, of the Western Morning News, were on hand to capture the reconstruction process.

“Andy was meticulous in his preparations,” said Colin. “It was fascinating to watch.”

The Neolithic structure, known locally as the Giant’s Quoit, had been a forlorn pile of stones for some 50 years before members of Sustrust began a five-year project to rebuild it. Watched by several hundred enthusiasts and supporters, its 10-ton capstone was finally hoisted back into place on Midsummer’s Day. Measuring 11ft by 8ft by 1ft, the great granite slab was dropped into position by crane.

Pip Richards, who has been the driving force behind the venture to re-erect the 5,000-year-old burial chamber near Troon, said the photographic re-enactment was part of a number of associated activities, including the production of a book and app.

“It is quite a famous photograph and comes from the collection of David Thomas,” she said. “It was a great day and I’m confident the results will be exceptional because the weather was not too bright so people weren’t squinting.”

Among those posing as 1920s picnickers were archaeologists James Gossip, Jacky Nowakowski and Richard Mikulski, Tony Boshier, who was part of the reconstruction team, Sustrust chairman Andy Norfolk, along with volunteer diggers and supporters.

“People just love to dress up and have some fun,” said Pip. “The director, James Kitto, did a great job organising everyone into their positions. If anything was different it was the attitude of those being photographed. In 1925, it was only seven years after the Great War, and there is a sombre air about the picture.”

Carwynnen Quoit – which has also been known as The Giant’s Frying Pan and Pendarves Quoit – might originally have been covered by a large mound of earth. More than a dozen similar structures can be seen elsewhere in Cornwall, including Trethevy Quoit, Lanyon Quoit and Chun Quoit.

Numerous groups were involved in the reconstruction project, including several schools which took part in outdoor lessons at the site. Children from Troon, Crowan, Kehelland, Penponds and Archbishop Benson schools chose items for a time capsule, which has now been buried deep beneath the ancient monument.

“We decided to let the children decide what should go in it,” said Pip. “So among the objects is a teddy bear, a jar of local honey to help people in the future identify the plants of today, hair from members of the team to help with DNA identification, 2014 coins, a serpentine heart pendant, a golf ball, badges from Troon Cricket Club and Camborne Rugby Club, a St Piran’s flag, a pasty key-ring, and a cartoon telling the story of the quoit.”

Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Sita Cornwall, the excavation revealed around 2,300 objects – many of them Neolithic – in the surrounding area. For more information visit giantsquoit.org

westernmorningnews.co.uk/1920s-picnic-picture-recreated-ancient-monument/story-21962607-detail/story.html

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Part of the Snowdon massif for sale

A large part of Wales’ highest mountain is being prepared for sale.

The 500-acres on the northern slopes of the mountain comprises Clogwyn Du’r Arddu, regarded as one of the premier rock climbing areas in Britain, and rough pasture land from below the cliffs to the Halfway station on the Snowdon Mountain Railway.

A website created by agents acting for farmer Dafydd Morris states: “This famous mountain is regarded as one of the wonders of Wales, the jewel in the crown of Snowdonia and one of the most visited tourist attractions in the UK.

“Snowdon or Yr Wyddfa in Welsh is the highest mountain in Wales and is the home to a number of rare plant and bird species including the world renowned Snowdon Lily artic-alpine plant, treasured by the Welsh nation.

“A large part of the Snowdon massif is up for sale and Dafydd Morris is calling on all conservationists and the public in general to grasp the opportunity to buy a part of Snowdon to help conserve and cultivate its natural beauty for generations to come.”

It is understood Mr Morris is planning to sell Clogwyn Du’r Arddu in one lot and the remainder of the land in smaller parcels.

Mr Morris was not available for comment but a spokesman said no final decision has been taken yet as to whether the sale will go ahead.

“All the necessary components for a possible sale have not been finalised and a final decision whether or not to sell the land has been taken,” he said.

walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/snowdon-sale-farmer-prepares-sell-7537087

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Ballymaglaff Stone Age site 'lost because of planning error'

DoE probes claims of unsuitable dig prior to developers moving in

BY LINDA STEWART – 03 JUNE 2014

Planners have launched a probe following claims that a rare site where early humans settled has been badly damaged without carrying out proper archaeological investigation.

The Department of the Environment (DoE) said its planning department has launched an enforcement investigation to establish if a breach of planning control had taken place at Ballymaglaff in Dundonald in relation to archaeological matters.

Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) also sent staff to inspect the site after concerns were raised about the road access to a new housing development close to the Comber Greenway.

Local historian Peter Carr, who discovered the archaeological site in 1984, says it dates from the era of the first human settlement of Ireland, the early Mesolithic period 8,800-9,800 years ago, and more than 2,000 pieces of struck flint have been found there.

“Over 20 of the period’s rare and highly distinctive microliths have been discovered here. Very few sites can claim over 10,” he said. “The larger part of the site was destroyed in January during the building of an access road to a new housing development.

“Although the site is on the Department of the Environment’s Sites and Monuments record, as a result of an administrative oversight no protective archaeological clause was attached to the planning permission.

“Archaeologists tested the area before construction work began, but the ‘trial excavation’ used the wrong archaeological methods and as a result nothing was found.

“The archaeological layer, which contained early Mesolithic flints and possibly other material, was left in spoil heaps near the road. These have not been protected and soil from the heaps has subsequently been redistributed.”

However, DoE planners said they had placed archaeological conditions on the planning permission.

“The most recent planning permission was granted November 20, 2013 for housing and an access road. When assessing the application, DoE Planning consulted with the NIEA, who recommended conditions requesting a written scheme and programme of archaeological work to be prepared by a qualified archaeologist for approval by the department,” a spokesman said.

“These conditions were placed on the planning approval. The applicant carried out a test evaluation of lands near the road. This was conducted under licence from NIEA. No archaeological material was identified during this evaluation.

“A meeting will take place next week with the department and the developer to discuss options.”

Peter Woodman, Ireland’s foremost expert on the early Mesolithic period, said few sites on the island have produced such numbers of microliths, which are pieces of blade that would have been inserted into wood or bone to create composite tools. He said: “You excavate for information. Bits and pieces of stone tools are one part of that, but there are other equally important things.”

Excavation at Ballymaglaff could have yielded evidence of huts, post holes and fireplaces to help build a picture of how early humans lived in Ireland, he said.

“The destruction of a site about which so little is known is always a great tragedy,” he said.

A spokesperson for Lagan Homes, which is developing the site, said: “Lagan Homes complied fully with – and exceeded – the archaeological conditions attached to these works. The company strongly refutes any suggestion that it did not comply with planning conditions.”

Mr Carr insisted Ballymaglaff could still yield valuable information. “If the department gets its act together, material could still be salvaged from what remains of the heaps,” he said.

belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/ballymaglaff-stone-age-site-lost-because-of-planning-error-30322927.html

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Church in Wales campaign to protect yew trees

A campaign to help protect yew trees up to 5,000 years old has been launched by the Church in Wales.

It will offer advice on how to manage and make the most of the trees, which are often found in churchyards.

A survey has found that the Church in Wales owns 334 yews which are between 500 and 800 years old.

The church said it was keen to protect such a precious heritage for future generations.

Information about where to get the best advice for managing yew trees will be sent to parishes and communities which have some of the oldest in Wales.

The Church in Wales said the work was supported by the churchyard conservation organisation, Caring for God’s Acre and the Ancient Yew Group.

Alex Glanville, head of property services at the Church in Wales, said: “It is incredible to think that some of the yew trees in our churchyards are older than our faith itself – dating back thousands of years.

“On example at Defynnog in Powys is thought to have been planted 5,000 years ago and could be a contender for the oldest tree in Europe.

“We think it’s time we celebrated these amazing trees and the communities that have cared for them down the centuries.”

He said some ancient yews would have marked venerated places in pre-history, many of which became Christian sites later on.

They survived in Wales better than anywhere else largely because of the wet climate and lower light levels and because Celtic traditions encouraged the planting of yews, he added.

The Church in Wales owns, within 203 of its churchyards, 101 ancient yew trees which are more than 800 years old and 233 yews over 500 years old.

bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-27692461

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Fisherman Catches Bronze Age Figurine

Not exactly the most attractive thing you ever saw, but:

KEMEROVO, RUSSIA—Nikolay Tarasov was fishing with a net in a river near his home in Tisul, Russia, when he recovered what he thought was an unusual stone, but he realized it was carved with almond-shaped eyes, a large mouth with full lips, and a ferocious expression before he threw it back into the water.

“On the reverse side on the head the carver etched plaited hair with wave like lines. Below the plait there are lines looking like fish scales,” he told The Siberian Times.

He donated the figurine to the Tisul History Museum, where it was dated to the early Bronze Age. The 4,000-year-old figure was carved in horn that had fossilized.

“Quite likely, it shows a pagan god. The only things we have dated approximately to the same age are a stone necklace and two charms in the shapes of a bear and a bird,” said Marina Banschikova, director of the museum.

archaeology.org/news/2146-140529-russia-horn-figurine/2146-140529-russia-horn-figurine

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Mesolithic objects found during Land’s End excavation

BBC News, 25 May 2014

More than 60 objects have been unearthed by archaeologists during an excavation at Land’s End in Cornwall.

The excavation was prompted after wild rabbits uncovered flint scrapers and arrowheads while burrowing, managers of the attraction said.

A preliminary one-day dig in a one-metre square area uncovered Mesolithic hammers, arrow heads, scrapers and waste from a flint tool-making factory.

The Mesolithic period dates from 10,000 to 4,000BC.

Land’s End said it was to work in partnership with Big Heritage UK over the next few years to carry out further investigations at the site.

bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-27538136

westernmorningnews.co.uk/Rabbits-unearth-ancient-treasure-trove-Land-s-End/story-21133575-detail/story.html

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Earliest evidence of the presence of humans in Scotland found in South Lanarkshire

From Historic Scotland:

9 April 2014 Archaeologists have uncovered the earliest evidence of the presence of humans in Scotland it was announced today.

An assemblage of over 5,000 flint artefacts was recovered in 2005-9 by Biggar Archaeology Group in fields at Howburn, near Biggar in South Lanarkshire, and subsequent studies have dated their use to 14,000 years ago. Prior to the find, the oldest evidence of human occupation in Scotland could be dated to around 13,000 years ago at a now-destroyed cave site in Argyll.

Dating to the very earliest part of the late-glacial period, Howburn is likely to represent the first settlers in Scotland. The flint tools are strikingly close in design to similar finds in northern Germany and southern Denmark from the same period, a link which has helped experts to date them.

The new findings were revealed today (9th April) by Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs in her speech at the Institute for Archaeologists’ annual conference, which is this year taking place in Glasgow. The definitive findings will be published next year in a report funded by Historic Scotland.

During her speech, the Cabinet Secretary announced over £1.4 million of funding for more than 60 projects in 2014/15 through Historic Scotland’s annual Archaeology Programme, and launched the first Scottish Historic Environment Data (SHED) Strategy, which aims to create a collaborative national public information resource for the historic environment.

The hunters who left behind the flint remains at Howburn came into Scotland in pursuit of game, probably herds of wild horses and reindeer, at a time when the climate improved following the previous severe glacial conditions. Glacial conditions returned again around 13,000 years ago and Scotland was once again depopulated, probably for another 1000 years, after which new groups with different types of flint tools make their appearance.

Fiona Hyslop said: “Our heritage helps us to connect our past, present and future. It reveals stories about where we’ve come from and who we are, and helps us to reflect on who we could be. The discovery of the earliest physical evidence of human occupation in Scotland is hugely exciting, in part because it offers us a very tangible link to the past and a physical reminder of the people who came before us.”

The nature of the physical connections made between the peoples in Scotland, Germany and southern Denmark is not yet understood. However the similarity in the design of the tools from the two regions offers tantalising glimpses of connections across what would have been dry land, now drowned by the North Sea.

Alan Saville, President of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, Senior Curator, Earliest Prehistory at the National Museums of Scotland and a specialist in the study of flaked flint and stone tools said: “These tools represent a real connection with archaeological finds in north-west Germany, southern Denmark and north-west Holland, a connection not seen elsewhere in Britain at this time. This discovery is both intriguing and revolutionises our ideas about where humans came from in this very early period. In southern Britain, early links are with northern France and Belgium. Howburn is just one chance discovery and further such discoveries will no doubt emerge.”

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Storms expose ancient human remains on Cornish beach

From BBC News bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-26621146 (via Richard Mikulski)

“Efforts are under way to identify ancient human remains found on a Cornish beach.

Archaeologists believe the bones, exposed by storms in a cliff at Harlyn bay near Padstow, could be those of a young iron age or bronze age woman.

Once they have been radiocarbon dated it is hoped they will go on show at the Royal Cornwall Museum.

Archaeologist Andy Jones said there had been a lot of Bronze and Iron Age burials in the area.

Mr Jones, from Cornwall Council’s historic environment service, said: “Based on what has been found before from the vicinity we thought there was a very good chance they were either going to be Bronze Aged or Iron Aged.”

A member of the public reported the discovery to the police after noticing the cliff face had changed and the bones were in view following this year’s winter storms. The passerby suspected the remains to be human.

Police and council officers then visited the site and an exhumation followed.

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A new view from La Cotte de St Brelade, Jersey

Antiquity via Past Horizons:

“Did Neanderthal hunters drive mammoth herds over cliffs in mass kills? Excavations at La Cotte de St Brelade in the 1960s and 1970s uncovered heaps of mammoth bones, interpreted as evidence of intentional hunting drives. New study of this Middle Palaeolithic coastal site, however, indicates a very different landscape to the featureless coastal plain that was previously envisaged. Reconsideration of the bone heaps themselves further undermines the ‘mass kill’ hypothesis, suggesting that these were simply the final accumulations of bone at the site, undisturbed and preserved in situ when the return to a cold climate blanketed them in wind-blown loess.”

PDF download here:
antiquity.ac.uk/ant/088/ant0880013.htm

Past Horizons article here:
pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/03/2014/no-mammoth-mass-kill-by-neanderthals-at-jersey-site

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Wind turbine plans to be reconsidered

Via the Heritage Journal:

Northumberland County Council planning officers had recommended approval for two wind turbines close to the monument but now they are advising the Council to throw out the plans – on the back of a recent decision to allow another turbine to be erected in the area.

More here:

heritageaction.wordpress.com/2014/03/09/take-heart-oswestry-theres-been-a-complete-u-turn-at-duddo/

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Scottish heritage bodies to merge

TWO of Scotland’s main heritage bodies are to merge, it has been confirmed.

The Scottish Government published a strategy document for the “historic environment” yesterday as Fiona Hyslop, the culture secretary, launched a Bill to address the management of the nation’s built heritage.

The Historic Environment Scotland Bill will bring together Historic Scotland and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS).

The new body will be called Historic Environment Scotland (HES).

The organisation will “be expected to play a key role in delivering the strategy, developed in partnership with stakeholders” which include the Built Environment Forum Scotland, the National Trust for Scotland, the Society of Antiquaries, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and others.

The new strategy, Our Place in Time – A Historic Environment Strategy for Scotland, is now online.

The new Historic Environment Scotland body is expected to be launched in 2015 if the Bill, which has been welcomed by the National Trust for Scotland, passes through parliament.

It will be established in two stages, with the inauguration of the body and a board appointed in April 2015, and the transfer of powers to the new body in October 2015.

Ms Hyslop said: “Combining the skills, expertise and professional experience of Historic Scotland and RCAHMS, HES will take a lead in protecting Scotland’s rich historic heritage to ensure it can be enjoyed now and the future.”

heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/scottish-heritage-bodies-to-merge.23596654

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Six-week consultation on a new proposal for the Heritage Bill

The Welsh Government would like your comments on a new proposal to give more effective protection to scheduled ancient monuments.

Between 2006 and 2012, Cadw received reports of 119 cases of unlawful damage to scheduled ancient monuments in Wales. However, there has been only one successful prosecution under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 in the last 25 years.

A number of respondents to last year’s consultation on proposals for the historic environment, ‘The future of our past’, expressed concerns about the rarity of successful prosecutions. Some called for changes to the Act’s permitted defence of ignorance of the status or location of a monument to make it easier to secure convictions for illegal damage.

Accordingly, the Welsh Government would now like to receive your views on a proposal to amend the offences and defences in the 1979 Act to modify the ‘ignorance defence’.

More details on the proposal are contained in a consultation document, which is available, along with a response form, on the consultation pages of the Welsh Government website.

Since responses are only being sought on a single proposal, the consultation period will be limited to six weeks running from 3 March to 14 April 2014. The consultation results will be available while there is still time to shape the provisions of the Heritage Bill, which is scheduled for introduction to the National Assembly for Wales in spring 2015.

Your thoughts on this proposal could help to improve the protection of scheduled ancient monuments in Wales, so be sure to take part in the consultation by submitting your reply by 14 April.

cadw.wales.gov.uk/about/news/8581094/?lang=en

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Museum site available for let

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

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CBA issue "Archaeology is about knowledge, not treasure" article

Following on the from ITV’s “Britain’s Secret Treasures” programme, the Council for British Archaeology have issued an excellent, unequivocal statement on their website.

“The Council for British Archaeology has been working in collaboration with ITV, the British Museum and the Portable Antiquities Scheme on Britain’s Secret Treasures to ensure that everyone fully understands all the issues involved in the search for ‘treasure’ and can seek expert advice and guidance.

That way we can all share our fascination for the history and heritage of the UK and pass on our knowledge and understanding to future generations, whilst protecting the remains in the ground, which are best left undisturbed.

So, if you are thinking of rushing out to buy a metal detector to search an area near you and seek out your very own ‘treasure’, CBA Director Mike Heyworth explains why you should think again.”

new.archaeologyuk.org/news/archaeology-is-about-knowledge-not-treasure

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Legendary Welsh lake to be bought for the nation

National Trust has raised £1m to buy a farm encompassing a lake considered one of the most beautiful and emblematic in Wales.

There were concerns that Llyn Dinas in Snowdonia and its shoreline could be turned into a water sports centre if it were not saved for the nation.

Llyn Dinas and the farm, Llyndy Isaf, are considered special partly because they are home to a wealth of wildlife but also because the area is the setting for the mythical battle between a red and white dragon. Legend says the red dragon won, and thus it became the country’s beloved national symbol.

guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/nov/16/llyn-dinas-saved-by-national-trust

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Stone Circle sundial at Chatsworth

Old news (2010) but as there can’t be many sundials or sculptures that namecheck stone circles, worth noting.

A NEW sundial sculpture showing the distance to 42 stone circles and earthworks in Derbyshire has been unveiled at Chatsworth in time for this year’s summer solstice.

Timepiece was designed specifically for Chatsworth’s world-famous, 105 acre garden by the artist Gary Breeze and is said to unite ancient and modern ways of telling the time.

thestar.co.uk/news/just_like_old_times_as_chatsworth_s_sundial_sculpture_arrives_1_857754

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Nosterfield Quarry – archaeological report

After 17 years on site the publication report for Nosterfield Quarry is complete. This important work tells the story of the northern margins of Thornborough Moor, the changing patterns of its use during the prehistoric period, the drainage of the wetland and their subsequent enclosure.

http://www.archaeologicalplanningconsultancy.co.uk:80/thornborough/nos.php

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Possible prehistoric bead found in Suffolk

A RARE piece of treasure which is believed to date back to pre-historic times could be the first find of its kind in Suffolk.

The British Museum said the gold personal ornament, which was found in Glemsford, near Sudbury, was an “important item”.

It is currently in the hands of the British Museum, which carried out the report into the object, but it could come home to Suffolk.

Janina Parol, assistant treasure registrar at the British Museum, said Moyse’s Hall Museum in Bury St Edmunds, Colchester and Ipswich Museum Service and the British Museum were all interested in the ornament, which is thought to be from the Bronze Age.

In his report, Ben Roberts, curator of European Bronze Age at the British Museum, said: “The probable bead is very rare for Britain and Ireland though a necklace of similar beads from Ireland is in the British Museum.”

The ornament was classified as treasure at a treasure trove inquest in Bury St Edmunds yesterday.

Faye Minter, senior finds recording officer at Suffolk County Council, said it was discovered by Lindsey Holland, from Liverpool, who was at a metal detecting rally in cultivated land in Glemsford on September 25.

She said there had been some deliberation over its date, but the unusual object is believed to be late Bronze Age, from 1,100 to 800 BC.

The ornament, which is probably a bead, is cylindrical in shape with decoration across it.

Speaking after the inquest, Jude Plouviez, archaeological officer at Suffolk County Council, said: “I don’t think we have found anything similar in Suffolk for example. It is quite an unusual one.”

Miss Parol said if the local museums could not acquire the item, then it would remain at the British Museum.

No comment could be made on the value of the ornament as the valuation is yet to take place.

A rare silver Eadmund penny of early medieval date, which was found near Mildenhall, was also deemed to be treasure at yesterday’s inquest.

Miss Minter said it was found by metal detectorist Steve Foster on October 30 and he reported it to Suffolk County Council.

The coin, which is thought to be part of a previous hoard, dates to between 850 and 870.

Picture and story here:

eadt.co.uk/news/possible_prehistoric_bead_is_found_in_suffolk_1_761704

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North Sea wind firms could unearth archaeology

OFFSHORE wind farms could help reveal the ancient secrets of East Yorkshire.

Archaeologists believe plans to connect a network of huge wind farms in the North Sea to an existing sub-station in Cottingham offer the chance to unearth dozens of previously unknown settlements.

The Creyke Beck sub-station will be the connection point to the National Grid for up to 1,700 wind turbines expected to constructed in a 3,500 square-mile area of sea on the Dogger Bank.

A consortium of energy companies behind the ambitious project have yet to decide whether to lay underground cables from the coast to Cottingham or build overhead power lines.

A proposed route has also yet to be finalised.

But an expert from the Humber Archaeology Partnership said recent underground gas and water pipeline schemes in the area had revealed over 50 previously unrecorded settlements, monuments and ancient burial mounds.

Partnership manager Dave Evans said close liaison between project engineers and archaeologists would be essential over the next few years.

“Such an approach has paid dividends on both the Easington to Ganstead gas pipeline and the Easington to Paull gas pipeline,” he said.

“The on-site aspects of these two major schemes were undertaken between 2007 and 2010 and both passed through much the same landscape within the Holderess Plain.”

Mr Evans said before extensive fieldwork was carried out on both schemes, a desk-based survey of known records identified mainly medieval and post-medieval features along the routes.

However, geophysical surveys and subsequent trenching and excavations uncovered over 50 Iron Age and Roman settlements and burial sites.

Archaeologists also discovered evidence of major flint-working site near Wawne thought to date from at least 4000 BC.

In a consultation submission on the offshore wind farm scheme, Mr Evans added: “Precisely because the current proposed cable trenches would pass through much the same landscape, a similar density of archaeological settlement, funerary and early agricultural activity may be expected.

“It is clear that any proposed developments within this large area would have substantial archaeological implications, some of which would be readily apparent from visible and recorded remains, others of which may be currently masked beneath the surviving medieval landscape.”

thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/news/Wind-farm-works-unearth-long-lost-secrets/article-3045211-detail/article.html

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Bronze Age bracelets found in Kent

Two Bronze Age gold bracelets almost 3,000 years old have been discovered during excavations along the route of the East Kent Access Road. When they were found one bracelet was placed inside the other.

The bracelets were found in an area of the Ebbsfleet peninsula from which four other Late Bronze Age hoards are already known. Those hoards are all of bronze objects, mainly axes, tools like punches and gouges, fragments of swords, and small ingots.

Full story, including lovely pictures and interview, here:

eastkent.owarch.co.uk/2010/09/02/bronze-age-gold-treasure-found/

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