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Jun 7 12 tweets 12 min read
Here’s a look at some more of our finds recently featured in the ‘The world of Stonehenge’ exhibition publication, this time from the unusual ‘Boscombe Bowmen’ grave which we excavated 600 metres north of the ‘Amesbury Archer’s’ grave at Amesbury Down, near Stonehenge.
The communal grave contained the remains of nine, possibly ten, individuals including one infant (cremated), two children, one teenager and five adult males.
#wessexarchaeology #wessexarch #stonehenge #stonehengelandscape #flint #flintarrowheads #prehistory #lateneolithic
Much of the bone had been curated and redeposited, placed in bundles within the grave lying around (generally just below) and – in the case of a few random bones – above the in situ (articulated) remains of one of the adult males.
#wessexarchaeology #wessexarch #stonehenge
The oldest mortuary deposits within the grave, comprising some of the redeposited bone, has been radiocarbon dated (C14) to between 2580 and 2340 BC.
#wessexarchaeology #wessexarch #stonehenge #stonehengelandscape #flint #flintarrowheads #prehistory
The in situ, articulated burial remains (i.e. undisturbed) at the base of the grave (one of the children and an adult male) were dated to between 2470-2200 BC, but two of the other burials (one from the base & one from the upper fill of the grave) were shown to have been made...
...much later (2190–1950 BC). This places the grave within the earliest period of the Beaker phenomenon, a time when communal graves were relatively rare (but not unknown) and graves containing the remains of single individuals were the norm in Britain.
Stratigraphic evidence – demonstrating how the grave was constructed, used and then fell-out of use – showed that the grave had an integral wooden chamber, which would have included a lid allowing access to facilitate additions and modification of the materials inside it.
The date of the human remains and the location of the grave suggests that at least some of the individuals buried here might well have contributed to the building of Stonehenge.
#wessexarchaeology #wessexarch #stonehenge #stonehengelandscape #flint
Here, you can see an example of one of the eight Beaker pots as well as flint arrowheads, an antler pendant & boar tusks forming part of the grave goods. The Beaker vessel pictured here measures about 10.6 cm in height whilst the flint arrowheads measure a delicate 2cm in length.
The number of individuals from this grave is amongst the greatest number recovered from a single Beaker grave in Britain, matched by having the greatest number of Beaker pots from one grave.
#wessexarchaeology #wessexarch #stonehenge #stonehengelandscape #flint #flintarrowheads
Seven of the eight pots were decorated, six with cord and one with plaited cord. Use of such plaited cord was extremely rare for Beaker vessels in Britain although this style was commonly seen in continental Europe.
#wessexarchaeology #wessexarch #stonehenge #stonehengelandscape
Check out the link below to read the full story on our contribution to the latest Stonehenge exhibition - wessexarch.co.uk/news/stoneheng…

#wessexarchaeology #wessexarch #stonehenge #stonehengelandscape #flint #flintarrowheads #prehistory #lateneolithic #neolithic #earlyprehistory

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More from @wessexarch

Jun 9
Our Community and Education specialists are at the Children’s Countryside Day at Glendale Show, Wooler, Northumberland today.
#wessexarch #wessexarchaeology #glendaleshow #community #archaeologicalartefact #artefacthandling #wessexarchloanboxes #stoneagetoironage #stoneage Image
Schools from Northumberland and Tyneside have been visiting our stand to take part in our Quern stone activities and explore our Stone Age – Iron Age loan box.
#wessexarch #wessexarchaeology #glendaleshow #community #archaeologicalartefact #artefacthandling #wessexarchloanboxes Image
These archaeological artefacts demonstrate how rural, agricultural communities functioned and thrived in the past and bring the past to life for our visiting school groups.
#wessexarch #wessexarchaeology #glendaleshow #community #archaeologicalartefact #artefacthandling Image
Read 4 tweets
Jun 9
Our Bronze Age Roundhouse virtual reality experience case study is now live ⚡

Jono Sutton, our in-house 3D Environment Artist, has created an engaging and informative 3D reconstruction of the Bronze Age Roundhouse excavated at Bitham Park, Westbury 👨‍🎨
#wessexarchaeology Image
Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by RPS Consulting Services Ltd on behalf of Barratt David Wilson Homes to undertake a large-scale excavation.
#wessexarchaeology #wessexarch #virtualreality #bronzeage #postexcavation #archaeology #history #heritage #heritageinterpretation Image
The excavation revealed evidence from the Bronze Age including a field system, ring ditch and a unique ‘palisaded’ enclosure around a central roundhouse.
#wessexarchaeology #wessexarch #virtualreality #bronzeage #postexcavation #archaeology #history #heritage Image
Read 11 tweets
Jun 9
As part of our growing Sustainability work, we’ve been inspired by leading climate scientists, such as Katharine Hayhoe, who are engaging hard-to-reach audiences on the issue of climate change.
#wessexarchaeology #wessexarch #sustainability #sustainabledevelopmentgoals Image
This links to important heritage sector debates on the importance of engaging communities on the need for rapid action essential to help our communities adapt and develop resilience to increasingly frequent flooding events.
#wessexarchaeology #sustainability
Heritage and archaeology’s role in building resilience is an area we have been researching within archaeological organisations and related disciplines. Evidence from the past can help contextualise perspectives on climate change and develop narratives with time depth.
Read 5 tweets
Jun 8
Another busy day exhibiting at #FloodandCoast2022!

One of our key #FCERM case studies is our creative heritage project, ‘The Ripple Effect’. The bespoke project for the @EnvAgency aims to further amplify the social value and community benefits of the Salisbury River Park scheme. Image
The project will improve people's well-being through positive engagement with the local environment, the community and each other, and engage people across all generations through walks, workshops, creative moments and shared experiences.

Image credit James Aldridge Image
We're committed to using #archaeology and #heritage to help our #FCERM clients deliver real benefits for communities and the environment, and to meet their #sustainability commitments across a wide range of social, environmental and economic goals.
Read 4 tweets
Jun 8
We’ll be taking part in a Treasure Hunt as part of Salisbury International Arts Festival this weekend - Sunday 12th June 📣

Come along to this family friendly event to explore four themed islands of hands-on activities for all the family to enjoy 🐚
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You can find us at the ‘Sailing the Calm Seas’ venue at Greencroft Park between 11am – 4pm. Be sure to visit to get hands on with marine archaeology and discover the exciting artefacts, including cannonballs, that lie beneath the sea.
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We’ll have plenty of craft activities too so you can take home your very own paper boat. 🦀

Use the Treasure Hunt Map to navigate the four islands bursting with fun activities to see and do.
#wessexarch #wessexarchaeology #familyfriendly #communityengagement #marinearchaeology Image
Read 5 tweets
Jun 8
🌊 Today is #WorldOceansDay 🌊

Revitalisation is the theme of this year’s World Oceans Day so, to celebrate, we’re looking at how our Marine Aggregate Industry Protocol work is raising awareness of how to record archaeological finds preserved in the ocean. 🔭
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This telescope was discovered at Kendall’s wharf amongst aggregate from the South Coast region. It dates from 1944 and is an admiralty style telescope.
#WessexArchaeology #wessexarch #marinearchaeology #WorldOceansDay #WorldOceansDay2022 #UNWorldOceansDay Image
It almost certainly came from a vessel – though as no vessel remains have been found in the same area, it may have been lost overboard rather than lost with a ship. 🛳️
#WessexArchaeology #wessexarch #marinearchaeology #WorldOceansDay #WorldOceansDay2022 #UNWorldOceansDay Image
Read 10 tweets

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