Digging deep to learn about Herefordshire's past (From Hereford Times)
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Digging deep to learn about Herefordshire's past
4:29pm Wednesday 5th September 2012 in News
RESIDENTS looking to dig deep into Herefordshire’s past are being invited to a hilltop excavation in the Golden Valley.
A 5,000-year-old site in Dorstone has been studied as part of a project to learn more about the lives of the first Neolithic farmers in the county.
Herefordshire Council has teamed up with staff and students at Manchester University over the summer.
Among the evidence unearthed at Arthur’s Stone includes pottery from the Early Neolithic period around 3,500BC.
“This was the age when the great megalithic chambered tombs like Arthur’s Stone were built,” said Professor Julian Thomas, from the university.
“It was a period that witnessed a remarkable first flourishing of farming groups who herded cattle in clearings and open country.
“This exciting project is looking for the first time in Britain simultaneously at a group of such sites within direct sight and close walking distance of one another.”
Those interested in the findings are invited to visit the excavations at Dorstone Hill on Sunday (9th) between 1pm and 4pm.
Next Wednesday (12th), Prof Thomas will deliver a talk on the findings of the project at the St Peter’s Church Centre in Peterchurch from 7.30pm.
Comments(3)
Clarkester
says...
8:33am Thu 6 Sep 12
bobby47
says...
10:43am Thu 6 Sep 12
bobby47 says...
11:37pm Wed 5 Sep 12
My advice would be, dont be afraid to completely ignore common sense, historical documents and the mass of evidence that suggests that Arthur's Stone is the true place to dig.
Having some considerable experience in this field of work, namely, digging to find the medieval village of Studmarsh, in the completely wrong place, I would strongly urge him to consider digging in an area that has little or no likelyhood of throwing up any positive finds. Then, if you do find something its a happy and pleasant surprise.
My book, 'Digging for Studmarsh in the Wrong Place' will help Professor Thomas during those dark hours when he will question whether or not his spade is up to the job and can he be bothered to carry on digging endless lumps of earth.