Early Bronze Age Remains Discovered

Bronze Age remains and artefacts have been discovered in a burial site on Whitehorse Hill in Dartmoor National Park, Devon. The discovery may be one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the past century.

The remains and artefacts were found inside a burial cist, a stone built chest used for the burial of cremations or inhumations, set within a peat mound. Although around 200 cists have previously been discovered on Dartmoor, the Whitehorse cist is the only known example set within a peat mound. It is also unusual because it is very far away from previously excavated sites and because its contents is so well preserved.

The cist was first discovered ten years ago. Since then the peat gradually eroded away from the sides and the top of the mound. Attempts were made to preserve it, but in August 2011 specialists decided to excavate the cist in order to recover any surviving archaeological information before the site and its context were lost. The entire deposit was taken to the Wiltshire Conservation Service laboratory where micro excavation took place in controlled conditions.

The work carried out since the summer has revealed that cremated human bone and burnt textile were placed in animal hide or fur on top of a leather and textile object, itself placed on a mat of plant material. A woven textile bag or basket was also placed at one end of the fur or hide. Its contents included approximately 100 beads made of amber and shale and a circular textile band. Two sharpened wooden stakes, which may have been used to define the position of the cist, were also discovered outside the cist. Scientists hope to discover how the stakes were sharpened - with a flint or bronze tool.

Very little is known about early Bronze Age life in the south west of England. Jane Marchand, Senior Archaeologist for Dartmoor National Park Authority and Whitehorse Hill project manager, explained that the discovery provided

‘a most unusual and fascinating glimpse into what an early Bronze Age grave goods assemblage on Dartmoor might have looked like when it was buried, including the personal possessions of people living on the Moor around 4,000 years ago.’

The peat surrounding the cist will now be analysed: it is hoped that studies of pollen and other plant remains supported by radio carbon dating will provide evidence of vegetation and climate at the time of the burial. There are also plans to rebuild the cist and to reinstate it in the mound where it was found.

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