Prehistoric Society Grand Days Out 2015:
Tour of ‘People of the Heath’ excavations, led by Dr. Stuart Needham
Wed. 17th June 2015, 11am: Petersfield, Hampshire.
People of the Heath is a four-year community based project focussed on a remarkable but
little-known prehistoric monument complex on the edge of Petersfield Town dating to the
Early Bronze Age, between 2200 and 1500 BC. Although designated as Scheduled Ancient
Monuments, the large group of barrows (burial and ritual monuments) spread across
Petersfield Heath has seen no active research since it was mapped in the 1930s by the late
Stuart Piggott in his adolescent years. There is no record of any past excavations, yet it is
one of the most impressive and diverse barrow cemeteries to have survived in south-east
England, boasting at least 21 monuments representing five or six different types. An
unknown number of barrows are no longer discernible, having been lost to development,
erosion and scrub growth. The size and diversity of the Heath complex invite comparison
with better known barrow cemeteries in Wessex, for example, those well preserved
around Stonehenge. This begs a host of questions about why the locality became important
in this period and the extent to which it was influenced by developments in other regions.
The project started in 2014 with background research, topographic and geophysical surveys.
The first excavation season took place in September. More about the research goals, the
results so far, the programme of activities and opportunities for public engagement may be
found on the website http://www.peopleoftheheath.com/
The three-week excavation this June (2 – 20), one of six seasons in total, will be targeting
two barrows at the south end of the Heath. One is an Early Bronze Age bowl barrow of
modest height and situated at a very low elevation close to the lake; the other is an oval
mound which we hope to show is of Neolithic date. During your visit, project
archaeologists Stuart Needham and George Anelay will guide you round the excavation
trenches and then the whole barrow cemetery. The cemetery will also be put into the
broader regional context for later prehistory. During the afternoon, you will be welcomed
by Kathrin Pieren, the curator of Petersfield Museum, where there is currently a small
display of the grave group recovered last year from the centre of Barrow 11.
The project is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the South Downs National Park
Authority.
Parking
The main car park is off the Sussex Road running along the south side of the Heath (SU 754
226) and is the one closest to this season’s excavations. However, this can be crowded in
fine weather and it would be wise to arrive early enough to find other nearby parking:
There is a smaller car park on the north side of the Heath (only a 10 minute walk away)
next to the nursery school, off Heath Road (SU 756 232), as well as various pull-offs on that
road and Heath Road East.
A large car park which services Tesco on the south edge of the town is also only about a 10
minute walk., especially if you drive through to the farther end of the car park (furthest
from the store), which is also usually pretty empty.
Lunch
Petersfield is a pretty medieval market town with plenty of eating places for lunch (e.g.
around The Square). There is also a good café on the north-west side of the lake.
Alternatively, bring sandwiches to eat – the Heath is a pleasant and ecologically interesting
environment to absorb.
Please email prehistoric@ucl.ac.uk by 3rd June 2015 to book your place.
Tour of excavations at Caerau Hillfort
Sat. 11th July 2015, 11am: Caerau Hillfort, Cardiff
Surrounded by housing and the A4232, Caerau hillfort is one of the largest and best
preserved in South Wales. It occupies the western tip of an extensive ridge-top plateau in
the western suburbs of Caerau and Ely, Cardiff, Wales. The old parish church, St Mary’s,
and a small ringwork, almost certainly a medieval castle site probably contemporary with the
church, stand within the hillfort on the north-eastern side. Caerau Hillfort is the third
largest Iron Age hillfort in Glamorgan enclosing 5.1 hectares (about the size of four football
pitches). Recent excavations by Channel Four’s Time Team in April 2012 showed that
occupation started about 600BC and lasted, probably not continuously, into the 3rd century
AD.
Details of how to get to the site can be found at: http://caerheritageproject.com/contact/
Please email prehistoric@ucl.ac.uk by 4th July 2015 to book your place.
Tour of excavations at Vale of Pewsey, led by Dr. Jim Leary (University of Reading);
Sun. 12th July 2015, 2pm: Marden henge, Wiltshire
The University of Reading, in collaboration with Historic England and the Wiltshire Museum,
will be excavating this summer in the Vale of Pewsey in Wiltshire – the ancient land
between the famous prehistoric monuments of Avebury and Stonehenge. The work will
focus on Marden henge – the largest henge in the country, as well as other monuments
preserved along the upper reaches of the River Avon. For further information please see:
https://www.reading.ac.uk/field-school/
Please email prehistoric@ucl.ac.uk by 5th July2015 to book your place.
Tour of excavations at West Kennet, Wiltshire, led by Dr. Joshua Pollard (University of
Southampton)
Sun. 2nd Aug 2015, 2pm: Marlborough, Wiltshire
Please email prehistoric@ucl.ac.uk by 19th July2015 to book your place.
Visit to the ongoing excavations at Must Farm
Saturday 17th Oct 2015: For further details please email prehistoric@ucl.ac.uk