“Carved into the chalk of a hillside in southern England, the Uffington White Horse is utterly unique. Stretching 360 feet from head to tail, it is the only prehistoric geoglyph—a large-scale design created using elements of the natural landscape—known in Europe. “There’s just nothing like it,” says University of Southampton archaeologist Joshua Pollard, who points to the Nazca lines in Peru as the closest parallel. Pollard says that because the site is so anomalous, researchers have resisted grappling with its distinct nature. As a consequence, few new interpretations of the site have been advanced since the early twentieth century. “Archaeologists are tripped up by things that are unique,” says Pollard, “and the White Horse has thrown us.” But now, after making a close study of the site and its relationship to the landscape around it, Pollard has developed a theory that connects the Uffington Horse with an ancient mythological tradition ...”
tjj
“The earliest antiquarians who visited, documented, sketched and spoke about Newgrange sometimes get a hard time from the modern academic establishment. The writings of Lhwyd and Molyneux and Pownall and Vallancey are all criticised for one reason or another (poor Charles Vallancey is largely ridiculed, perhaps because he referred to Newgrange as a Mithraic temple). All of the early antiquarian accounts of the monument are valuable for one reason or another. Some of them have captured aspects of the monument that have disappeared since they wrote. Without the tools and techniques of modern archaeology, all of them were poking around in the dark, so to speak. They couldn’t have known the true age of Newgrange, nor could they have appreciated the skills of the artists and builders who created it, those whom they all too often referred to as barbarous. .... ”
This new 35-minute documentary explores the past, present and future of the Marlborough Mound. This film uncovers the history of the Mound, explaining its legacy to those unaware of its profound importance, and to those curious about the unknown.
A hoard of Iron Age coins from Sulhamstead dating back more than 2,000 years has been acquired by West Berkshire Museum.
The Sulhamstead hoard comprises eight gold coins – seven gold staters and one quarter stater – from the late Iron Age.
Staters were used by the Celtic tribes throughout the Iron Age, such as the Atrebates who inhabited Berkshire, Hampshire and West Sussex.
Indeed, the quarter stater is a rare coin particular to East Wiltshire and Berkshire.
The hoard was unearthed by a metal detectorist from Great Shefford between 2013 and 2015 and a coroner later ruled that the coins were treasure.
Holds the Crow Down Hoard found in Lambourn near the Ridgeway consisting of five gold objects – possibly arm adornments. And the Yattendon Hoard consisting of 58 bronze objects – not all on display.
The Yattendon Hoard consists of 58 bronze objects – some of which are available to see in West Berkshire Museum, Newbury.
Can be seen in the West Berkshire Museum, Newbury
Malmesbury, a Saxon town in north Wiltshire famous for its historic Abbey and it connection with the first king of all England, Athelstan. I was in the Athelstan Museum earlier today and was fascinated to learn Malmesbury is built on the site of an early Iron Age hill fort. Was looking at a 3D model of town in the museum and it is almost surrounded by two rivers. A town where prehistory becomes the history of England – life before the Normans. Also known as the “Queen of Hilltop Towns”.
“A Druidical temple somewhat resembling that at Stonehenge in size and structure…The place is called Baltony, a name not uncommon in some districts of Ireland. It is supposed to be a corruption of Baal tinné, the ‘fire of Baal,’ — intimating a spot where that Deity was particularly worshiped in Ireland…Among the rigid Presbyterians of the North, such remains of antiquity are lightly regarded because they are deemed remnants of superstition and idolatry, although some respect has been paid to them by its respected proprietors.”
Mr. & Mrs. Hall, Ireland: Its Scenery, Character, etc., 18411
“The island of Anglesey has a personality all of its own. Sheltered in the lee of Snowdonia, it is the only area of fertile and accessible land in a region of high and barren mountains. It is, therefore, not surprising that settlers have been drawn to its shores from the dawn of history. And they have left us some of the most inspiring monuments in Wales.”
Poems and illustrations by Giles Watson
Wild Auroch hunting near the site of Stonehenge.
Ochre and iron ore mined here for thousands of years.
A short video of the scanning technology revolutionising archaeology,
Being developed by the Friends of the Ridgeway
ridgewayfriends.org.uk/
Some useful information and folklore about Hangman’s Stones.
Many thanks to thesweetcheat for this link – am adding as a link because I don’t want to lose sight of it (I think my laptop is on the blink).
Visited this museum in Andover on a return visit to Danebury. Excellent and atmospheric museum, constructed as a round house inside (though in a conventional building). A great place for a family outing with lots to learn. One display focuses on the animals and plantlife that were around at the time. I learnt that the cockeral, goose and hare were held as sacred and never eaten. The raven was a symbol of darkness and death though also associated with foretelling the future.
Also – something I’ve never seen before, a hologram of the Lindow Man. Very realistic.
The Jan Brouwer Trail
A great way to commemorate Jan Brouwer and all the work he did for rockartuk.
Ten walks accessible by bus taking in some of the archaeology of the North Wessex AONB.
This has been posted extensively on Facebook and am surprised not to see it here.
Most TMA members have signed already but just in case you missed it .... please sign.
Thank you
h2g2 a BBC forum for writing about anything and everything – this fascinating piece about Blencathra was written by someone calling him/herself Tufty Squirrel (Cumbria is renowned for its red squirrels as well as the wonderful Castlerigg)
The Marvellous Marden Henge – talk given by Jim Leary, 5th February 2011. Jim Leary talk was on the excavation which took place at Marden Henge in the summer of 2010.
Situated approximately half-way between Avebury and Stonehenge, near the head of the River Avon, it is the least known henge; there is no stone circle.
First recorded 1806 in Gough’s edition of Camden’s Britannia. Excavated by Richard Colt Hoare, William Cunnington and Philip Crocker in 1809.
In 1809 a shaft was sunk to the bottom of Hatfield Barrow (thought to be approximately nine metres high). The barrow, being constructed of greensand, became unstable and collapsed in on itself. Findings were published in Colt Hoare’s Ancient Britain; around 1818 the mound was levelled by the farmer.
Geoffrey Wainwright did some work in 1969 and conclusively showed it was late Neolithic – the southern barrow remains, though hidden from view. The southern bank of the henge is open and faces out towards the river Avon; a geophys survey also showed there was a south-east entrance.
The most important finding of the 2010 excavation was patch of chalk on the southern bank which was almost certainly the floor of a Neolithic building; part of a hearth is visible and although excavation was not fully completed, it is thought to be the best preserved Neolithic building in England – superior even to Durrington Walls. There is a nearby midden (rubbish dump) where pig bones and highly decorated Neolithic pottery were found. Also found were two beautifully preserved flint arrowheads and two bone pins.
Jim Leary would very much like to continue the work – and we can only hope that in today’s uncertain financial climate it will be possible.
Thanks to Wideford for providing this link
Thanks to Chance for this link.
Wiltshire and Swindon Sites and Monument Record Information
Some of the bronze/iron age finds listed here. Search for Mother Anthony’s Well and Bromham.
An ancient well at the foot of Roundway Down in sight of Oliver’s Castle.
Ceide Fields Visitor Centre
Blog updates on the campaign to protect the rural land adjacent to Coate Water Country Park. This land not only has a small prehistoric stone circle on it but also historic and literary associations with Richard Jefferies who set many of his books against this rural backdrop.