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Archaeologists Unearth Six Skeletons Near Stonehenge
By Richard Moss
22/05/2003
Image: Shows the remains of six individuals.
Left: the spectacular remains of six individuals were first discovered by workmen digging a trench for a water pipe. © Wessex Archaeology.
The bones of six people dating back almost 4,500 years have been discovered near Stonehenge in Wiltshire, close to the grave of the famous Amesbury Archer.
Buried together in a single grave, the remains were excavated in early May by archaeologists from Wessex Archaeology after workers unearthed them whilst digging a trench for a water pipe.
The four adults and two children are believed to be about the same age as the Amesbury Archer, dating back to 2,300BC.
Image: Shows the standing stones of Stonehenge.
Right: the area around Stonehenge continues to be a rich archaeological reserve. © English Heritage.
Dr Andrew Fitzpatrick, of Wessex Archaeology, said: "This new find is really unusual. It is exceptionally rare to find remains of so many people in one grave like this in Southern England."
Four pots in the Beaker style, typical of the period, were found in the grave together with some flint tools, one flint arrowhead and a bone toggle for fastening clothing
"The number of beaker pots in the grave is only exceeded by the grave of the Amesbury Archer, where there were five," said Dr Fitzpatrick.
Image: Shows a bone toggle used for fastening clothing.
Left: this bone toggle used for fastening clothing was also found. © Wessex Archaeology.
"The grave is fascinating because we are seeing the moment when Britain was moving from the Stone Age into the Bronze Age, around 2,300BC. The large number of bodies placed in this grave is something more commonly found in the Stone Age, but the Beaker style pottery is found in Bronze Age burials."
Coming just a year after the famous discovery of the Archer, dubbed 'The King of Stonehenge' by the media, the find highlights what a rich archaeological reserve the area around Stonehenge remains.
"These finds show how important the area of modern Amesbury was at the time that Stonehenge was being built," added Dr Fitzpatrick. "It is also good news that responsible companies like Wessex Water and QinetiQ are making it possible for these finds to come to light."
Image: Shows the so-called 'Amesbury Archer' in situ.
Right: the so-called 'Amesbury Archer' was discovered at the site of a school and housing development in May last year. © Wessex Archaeology.
Wessex Archaeology is now waiting for Radiocarbon tests on the remains to establish the precise dates of the burials.
It is possible the bones are those of people from different generations, as the grave seems to have been reopened to allow further burials to be made. The bones of the earlier burials were mixed up, but those of the later burials, a man and a child, were undisturbed.
To learn more about Stonehenge, and the megalithic heritage of the Amesbury area, visit the Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum to see an award winning Stonehenge display. There's also Devizes Museum and the Dorset County Museum in Dorchester with good collections of pre-historic artefacts to see.
Stonehenge (English Heritage)
Stonehenge, SP4 7DE, Wiltshire, England
Open: Opening Times:16th - 23rd October: 0930 - 1700; 24th October - 15 March: 0930 - 1600; 16th March - 31st May: 0930 - 1800; 1st June - 31st August: 0900 - 1900, 1st September - 15th October: 0930 - 1800.
Recommended last admissions no later than 30 mins before closing time. Stonehenge will be closed promptly 20 mins after advertised time.
Wiltshire Heritage Museum
Wiltshire Heritage Museum, 41 Long Street, Devizes, SN10 1NS, Wiltshire, England
Open: Museum
Mon-Sat 1000-1700
Sun 1200-1600
Library
Tues-Sat 10.00-17.00
(Library closed first Sat of every month)
Closed: Sun-Mon (library only)
Salisbury & South Wiltshire Museum
Salisbury & South Wiltshire Museum, The King's House, 65 The Close, Salisbury, SP1 2EN, Wiltshire, England
Open: Mon-Sat 10.00-17.00
Thurs also 17.00-19.00 (July & August only)
Sun 14.00-17.00 (July & August only)
Open bank holidays excl 24-27 December, 1 January 2009
Closed: Sun (except July & August)
Wed 24 - Sat 27 December 2008 inclusive
Thurs 1 January 2009
Dorset County Museum, Dorchester
High West Street, Dorchester, DT1 1XA, Dorset, England
Open: Mon-Sat 1000-1700
Sun Open in July & August Only
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