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<< Our Photo Pages >> Whitehorse Hill cist - Cist in England in Devon

Submitted by MikeAitch on Monday, 14 September 2015  Page Views: 19985

Neolithic and Bronze AgeSite Name: Whitehorse Hill cist Alternative Name: White Horse Hill cist
Country: England County: Devon Type: Cist
 Nearest Village: Chagford
Map Ref: SX6172485476
Latitude: 50.652507N  Longitude: 3.957402W
Condition:
5Perfect
4Almost Perfect
3Reasonable but with some damage
2Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site
1Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks
0No data.
-1Completely destroyed
4 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
4 Access:
5Can be driven to, probably with disabled access
4Short walk on a footpath
3Requiring a bit more of a walk
2A long walk
1In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find
0No data.
1 Accuracy:
5co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates
4co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map
3co-ordinates scaled from a bad map
2co-ordinates of the nearest village
1co-ordinates of the nearest town
0no data
5

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Whitehorse Hill cist
Whitehorse Hill cist submitted by Andy B : Ear studs (librets) have been found during investigations into the bag which was excavated in 2011. They are believed to be the only ones so far discovered in the South West (Vote or comment on this photo)
Small Bronze age cist on Whitehorse Hill, Dartmoor Forest. Discovered in the early 21st century and scheduled in 2003. Due to its remote location it represented a rare example of an undisturbed cist on Dartmoor. It was excavated in August 2011.

The monument includes a cist situated near the summit of Whitehorse Hill. The cist was, until 2001, visible in the edge of an irregularly shaped island of peat standing above its surroundings. Only the western edge of the cist was exposed, the remainder, including the cist's original contents, being sealed beneath peat deposits. The cist measures 0.3 meters deep by 0.4 meters wide and its capstone remains in its original position. Early in 2001 a protective drystone wall measuring 3.0 meters long by 0.9 meters high was built in front of the western edge of the cist, which as a result is no longer visible.

The drystone wall is included in the scheduling. This cist stands at a considerable height above sea level and, perhaps as a consequence, no broadly contemporary settlements are known to survive within its vicinity. (Department for Culture, Media and Sport 2003)

The stone cist is 0.6 meters long internally. The eastern end stone, the southern side stones and the capstone appear to be in situ but the northern side stone leans inward and the west end stone has collapsed. (Turner, J. R. 2000)

It is thought to be likely that this cist has not been disturbed due to its remote location. Excavation of the cist in order to save it from severe peat erosion started in August 2011. (Richards, A. F. 2011)

Source: Dartmoor HER

Update December 2019: This cist is featured on the Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks (PDW) website - see their entry for the Whitehorse Hill Cist, which includes a photograph of the cist. The cist is also recorded as Pastscape Monument No. 1376648, as MDV66367 (Whitehorse Hill Cist) on the Devon and Dartmoor HER, and scheduled as Historic England List Entry No. 1020871 (Cist on Whitehorse Hill, 910m south east of Taw Head).

Note: Whitehorse Hill community play - 19th/20th September, see our latest comments for more details
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Whitehorse Hill cist
Whitehorse Hill cist submitted by AngieLake : A photo of an image from the excellent display at Dartmoor National Park Authority's High Moorland Centre at Princetown. This was just a small part of the story of Dartmoor's history. Entry is £1.50 and includes a current exhibition of photography. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Whitehorse Hill cist
Whitehorse Hill cist submitted by Andy B : Some of the contents of the cist at Whitehorse Hill Photo copyright Dartmoor NPA (Vote or comment on this photo)

Whitehorse Hill cist
Whitehorse Hill cist submitted by AngieLake : OS map showing the firing range danger area boundary inside which Whitehorse Hill lies. (c) Crown Copyright and copyright of the Dartmoor National Park Authority who produced this booklet. I doubt they'd mind Meg P using this as a warning to readers planning to visit the site. "Excellent walks may be had by approaching from either the north or south although these should only be attempted ... (Vote or comment on this photo)

Whitehorse Hill cist
Whitehorse Hill cist submitted by AngieLake : Quick look at Whitehorse Hill's position in Dartmoor National Park. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Whitehorse Hill cist
Whitehorse Hill cist submitted by AngieLake : The great little (36-page) illustrated guide published by Dartmoor National Park Authority. Address: Parke, Bovey Tracey, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ13 9JQ. Phone: 01626 832093 email: hq@dartmoor.gov.uk www.dartmoor.gov.uk (Vote or comment on this photo)

Whitehorse Hill cist
Whitehorse Hill cist submitted by AngieLake : An advert for publications and other things available to purchase in the shop downstairs at Postbridge DNP info centre. I have the £2.50 'Whitehorse Hill guide', which makes a fascinating read. It is full of info on the finds.

Whitehorse Hill cist
Whitehorse Hill cist submitted by AngieLake : One side of the room had info and replicas of artefacts from Whitehorse Hill, and the other side - to left of this view - had the display: 'Life, Death, and Landscape, The story of Prehistoric Dartmoor', with real finds on show.

Whitehorse Hill cist
Whitehorse Hill cist submitted by AngieLake : The wall panel at Dartmoor National Park's Postbridge Information centre's display. 16.6.17.

Whitehorse Hill cist
Whitehorse Hill cist submitted by AngieLake : Another view of the replica of a beautiful wrist or arm band found at Whitehorse Hill. Apologies for the blurring effect of photo.

Whitehorse Hill cist
Whitehorse Hill cist submitted by AngieLake : A replica of the wrist, or arm, band made from braided strands of fibre made from cow hair, and small tin rivets.

Whitehorse Hill cist
Whitehorse Hill cist submitted by AngieLake : A replica of one of the 32 domed tin rivets that formed a bracelet. This was exceptionally rare to find tin used in decorative objects at prehistoric sites in Britain. (Apparently originally there were 35.)

Whitehorse Hill cist
Whitehorse Hill cist submitted by AngieLake : A replica tin bead of the type found at Whitehorse Hill. One single barrel or cylindrical shaped bead was found.

Whitehorse Hill cist
Whitehorse Hill cist submitted by AngieLake : Replica of a necklace typical of those times. (1 comment)

Whitehorse Hill cist
Whitehorse Hill cist submitted by AngieLake : Replicas of tiny ceramic beads that may have been used as spacers. Over 110 of those were found in varying sizes.

Whitehorse Hill cist
Whitehorse Hill cist submitted by AngieLake : Unlike these replica amber beads, the ones found at Whitehorse Hill were quite worn, leading archaeologists to believe they were 'heirlooms' at the time of burial.

Whitehorse Hill cist
Whitehorse Hill cist submitted by AngieLake : A beautiful lump of amber from which seven beads were fashioned and deposited in the cist.

Whitehorse Hill cist
Whitehorse Hill cist submitted by AngieLake : These are the replica Kimmeridge shale beads, 92 of which were found here.

Whitehorse Hill cist
Whitehorse Hill cist submitted by AngieLake : A lump of Kimmeridge Shale. 92 beads of this material were found at Whitehorse Hill.

Whitehorse Hill cist
Whitehorse Hill cist submitted by AngieLake : This is a replica of a possible sash or belt that is unique in N.W. Europe.

Whitehorse Hill cist
Whitehorse Hill cist submitted by AngieLake : Inner bark from lime trees was used to fashion the basket. Details in the excellent guide book.

Whitehorse Hill cist
Whitehorse Hill cist submitted by AngieLake : A replica of the wooden studs found here. They were the earliest evidence for wood turning in the UK, and a rare find. More details in the excellent guide book.

Whitehorse Hill cist
Whitehorse Hill cist submitted by AngieLake : A replica of the basket which contained over 200 beads, two pairs of wooden studs and a flint tool.

Whitehorse Hill cist
Whitehorse Hill cist submitted by AngieLake : As the sign says, items in this case are replicas of the objects from the burial at Whitehorse Hill.

Whitehorse Hill cist
Whitehorse Hill cist submitted by AngieLake : The text page [p.46] of the Whitehorse Hill article in Dartmoor National Park's magazine 'Enjoy Dartmoor', available online: http://www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/visiting/vi-planningyourvisit/guide-to-the-national-park An Archaeologist-led visit to the cist will be made on 21 July 2013 [see p. 25].

Whitehorse Hill cist
Whitehorse Hill cist submitted by AngieLake : Dartmoor National Park's magazine article about Whitehorse Hill, and list of events including an archaeologist-led walk to the cist on Sunday 21 July 2013, listed on pages 24 and 25 of the mag, available online: http://www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/visiting/vi-planningyourvisit/guide-to-the-national-park

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"Whitehorse Hill cist" | Login/Create an Account | 23 News and Comments
  
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Re: Artefacts on Display at The Box, the new Plymouth Museum. by AngieLake on Friday, 25 September 2020
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I just read this on DARTMOOR 365 on Facebook:

"G10 - Whitehorse Hill
I've just been to the Preview Day of The Box, Plymouth, where they have an exhibition about the early Bronze Age objects found in the cist at Whitehorse Hill, and several of the artefacts on display. So excuse the photos; it's the weird museum lighting."
Penny Samuels was the poster.
The group is for enthusiasts and walkers on Dartmoor and they use a special map which is divided into squares for each location.

I occasionally link in our site pages with their lovely photos.
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Whitehorse Hill exhibition to close from 23 Sept til July 2020 by AngieLake on Sunday, 15 September 2019
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Please note that this visitor centre is due to close on 23 September so that a larger and better interpretation centre can be built to house the current exhibition. The article does not state where the Whitehorse Hill artefacts will be taken, or whether they will be displayed at any other centre during the rebuilding period.
See article here:
https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/spooky-box-bones-found-dartmoor-3303645
[ Reply to This ]

The Whitehorse Hill Cist, Dartmoor - extraordinary Bronze Age burial? by Andy B on Friday, 08 December 2017
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The Whitehorse Hill Cist, Dartmoor
An ordinary or extraordinary Bronze Age burial?

The excavation of the Whitehorse Hill cist took place in the late summer of 2011. It had been assumed that the most significant aspect of the project would be the environmental recording and that the cist itself would be empty. In the final event, the cist was found to contain one of the most significant Early Bronze Age burials to have been found in southern Britain.

At over 600m above sea level, the Whitehorse Hill cist is located on one of the highest and most remote hills on Dartmoor. There are extensive views over the surrounding landscape and the overall feeling when standing on the mound is of being far removed from the everyday world. But was this perception one which would have been shared by the communities who built the cist in the Early Bronze Age?

Modelled radiocarbon dates indicate that the burial took place in the period circa 1690–1620 cal BC, although some of the objects are likely to be older and the cremated bone may well have been curated prior to its deposition in the cairn.

More at
https://historicengland.org.uk/whats-new/research/Whitehorse-Cist-Dartmoor/

Part of the newly released Issue 7 of ‘Historic England Research’ digital magazine https://historicengland.org.uk/whats-new/research/ is now available. it
features designed landscapes, maritime heritage, archaeology, heritage science and introduces our Historic England's new Research Agenda.

You can also read the magazine as a PDF
https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/publications/historic-england-research-7/

I'm told a good reason for looking up the PDF version is that - what with the festive season coming up - there are details of how to get a 20% discount for the Historic England online bookshop.
[ Reply to This ]

Re:Whitehorse Hill Community Play, Bellever on 23rd and 24th Sept by AngieLake on Wednesday, 30 August 2017
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See article here:
http://www.devonlive.com/whats-on/music-nightlife/woodland-tale-difference-401085
[ Reply to This ]

Video: Prehistoric Dartmoor, life on Dartmoor in the Bronze Age by Andy B on Sunday, 20 December 2015
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A short film about life on Dartmoor in the Bronze Age. Find out more about the exciting 4,000 year discovery on Northern Dartmoor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqieJmIuR14



Make sure you watch or whizz forward until about 4:30 when the 'prehistoric' lady appears!
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Whitehorse Hill Burial - official Dartmoor National Park info page by AngieLake on Sunday, 13 September 2015
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I don't believe we have a recent link to this informative page:

http://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/lookingafter/laf-culturalheritage/whitehorse-hill-burial
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Re: Whitehorse Hill community play - 19th/20th September 2015 by AngieLake on Sunday, 13 September 2015
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Excerpt from Mid Devon Advertiser Friday September 11th 2015:

"Following the exciting archaeological discoveries at Whitehorse Hill, a new play is set to be performed on Dartmoor later this month." [later this week!]
"Working with local communities, Md Theatre (Moretonhampstead) have been developing an open air performance that will bring to life seven different periods of history, all inspired by key events from central Dartmoor's past, beginning with the Bronze Age remains that were recovered from the Whitehorse Hill cist.
Taking place in Bellever Forest, the performance will invite the audience to make a journey through time, accompanied by lantern bearers from Princetown Primary School.
The project has been developed in partnership with the Dartmoor National Park's Moor Than Meets The Eye scheme, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Performances are free to attend and will take place on September 19 and 20 at 6pm."

Moor Than Meets the Eye:
http://www.moorthanmeetstheeye.org/

I also found this link with a couple of good photos of two young performers:
http://www.theprsd.co.uk/2015/09/08/dartmoors-history-explored-free-play-med-theatre-inspired-discoveries-whitehorse-hill/#more-41597

[ Reply to This ]

Re: Dartmoor Teeming with Bears (Whitehorse Hill Cist) by AngieLake on Monday, 08 September 2014
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It's been discovered that bears lived on Dartmoor during this period.

http://www.torquayheraldexpress.co.uk/Dartmoor-teeming-brown-bears-experts-reveal/story-22893173-detail/story.html

The article from the Herald Express in South Devon says Dartmoor was 'teeming with them'.

The item was also on the local Spotlight south west BBC news tonight. I was not able to concentrate properly as a friend was visiting but am sure it links in with Whitehorse Hill.

The programme 'Inside Out' starts at 8pm on BBC1 and the news of the bear skin is due to be included.
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Prehistoric burial on Dartmoor reveals its secrets by Anonymous on Wednesday, 05 March 2014
the 30' documentary is being repeated on BBC2 this sunday 9th March 2014 at 1830!!!
[ Reply to This ]

'Mystery of the Moor' Whitehorse Hill on BBC iPlayer by AngieLake on Friday, 07 February 2014
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This was shown on Friday evening at 7.30pm (7th February 2014), on BBC 1 South West about the excavations at Whitehorse Hill on Dartmoor.
Dartmoor National Park have a web-page about the programme here:
http://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/aboutus/news/au-geninterestnews/mystery-of-the-moor

(Excerpt):
"Academics and scientists alike were fascinated by the well preserved findings from this prehistoric cremation burial which allowed them one of the best glimpses into life in Bronze Age southern England that they have ever had.

The finds included prehistoric jewellery, an animal pelt and finely worked personal possessions. Most remarkable of all are beads made of tin – the earliest hard evidence of tin production found in the south west.

This absorbing programme highlights ground-breaking work by internationally renowned archaeologists as they get to grips with how this discovery is painting a picture of early Bronze Age society; and as a consequence, how north Dartmoor is being reconsidered as an area of prehistoric importance

Presenter Mike Dilger is on hand as scientists and craftspeople attempt to re-create objects found within the burial including; a delicate tin-studded woven bracelet and yo-yo shaped ear studs, the earliest evidence of wood turning ever discovered in the country.

Most thrilling is when Mike and the TV crew are present when conservators reveal the contents of an intricately coiled basket, unopened for 4,000 years. "

[NB: unfortunatley it was only on BBC South West but fortunately you can watch it on BBC iPlayer? (and outside the UK if you know the tricks to pull...- MegP Ed)]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b03t8vxg/Mystery_of_the_Moor/
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: 'Mystery of the Moor' Whitehorse Hill on BBC iPlayer by AngieLake on Saturday, 08 February 2014
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    Someone edited this to make it look as if I put up the message after the programme was aired, when my original comment appeared around 5pm, in plenty of time for anyone coming home from work to plan their evening's TV watching.
    (Only saying.. as I made a comment last night on Forum which would otherwise not make sense!) ;-)
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: Whitehorse Hill cist by Anonymous on Tuesday, 19 February 2013
Dartmoor burial site gives up its 4,000-year-old secrets

http://www.thisisdevon.co.uk/Dartmoor-burial-site-gives-4-000-year-old-secrets/story-18182242-detail/story.html
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Prehistoric burial on Dartmoor reveals its secrets by Andy B on Monday, 18 February 2013
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More info in our forum here
http://www.megalithic.co.uk/modules.php?op=modload&name=Forum&file=viewtopic&topic=5593&forum=1&start=0
[ Reply to This ]

Re: White Horse Hill amazing finds on TV programme 18th Feb 2013 by AngieLake on Monday, 18 February 2013
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"'Amazing' bronze age burial site treasures on Dartmoor" is the title of the article on the BBC News England web page, and includes a clip with great footage from tonight's programme ('Inside Out South West' at 19.30 GMT, and nationwide on iPlayer for seven days after) showing another Dartmoor site, and the excavation of White Horse HIll cist, and comments from the laboratory on the unique ear studs found inside the cist.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-21445658
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Latest on White Horse Hill Cist contents by AngieLake on Monday, 18 February 2013
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" 'Amazing' treasures revealed in Dartmoor bronze age cist."

Just heard a clip on the local radio about the amazing finds in a Bronze Age grave on Dartmoor. Googling brought up this story from BBC News, which I suspected was going to be White Horse Hill:
Quote:

"A rare and "amazing" burial discovery dating back 4,000 years has been described as the most significant find on Dartmoor and has given archaeologists a glimpse into the lives of the people who once lived there.

The discovery of a bronze age granite cist, or grave, in 2011 in a peat bog on White Horse Hill revealed the first organic remains found on the moor and a hoard of about 150 beads.

As the National Park's archaeologists levered off the lid they were shocked by what lay beneath.

The park's chief archaeologist, Jane Marchand, said: "Much to our surprise we actually found an intact cremation deposit [human bones] which is actually a burial alongside a number of grave goods.

"What was so unusual was the survival of so many organic objects which you never usually get in a grave of this period, they've long since rotted away."

Amongst the grave goods was an animal pelt, containing a delicate bracelet studded with tin beads, a textile fragment with detailed leather fringing and a woven bag."

"Ms Marchand said: "The whole thing was actually wrapped up in an animal pelt of fur. As we lifted it up very carefully a bead fell out and the thrill of realising that actually this is a proper burial, this is a bead which belonged to a burial.

"That's what's so exciting, you wouldn't expect to find any archaeology somewhere like this stuck out on this peak hag. You'll never be able to top this ever."

Despite there being about 5,000 remnants of buildings and 200 burial cists on Dartmoor the moor has offered up few of its secrets.

English Heritage archaeologist Win Scutt said: "A lot of it's to do with robbing, some people have actually robbed the stone, some have robbed the artefacts.

"But the biggest loss we've got is all the organic stuff, the bones have all been dissolved by the acid soil up here. The flowers, the gifts of drink and food which would have gone in, most of their life was organic, it was stuff that would rot away."

" "If we could get the perishable items, the organic materials, it would really shine a big light into pre-history."

This discovery has provided a rare glimpse into history with an ear stud or libret found in the bag while it was being examined at the Wiltshire Conservation Lab.

Ms Marchand said: "I don't remember studs being recorded at any other excavation from this period. I've worked on Dartmoor for over 20 years and never anticipated getting anything like this.

"It's just amazing, it suddenly brings them to life and actually you feel much closer to them because this is someone who likes their jewellery, I like jewellery, and actually you can identify with that side of things.

"We're only at the beginning really I just can't wait for the results to start coming in."

Find out more on BBC Inside Out South West, on BBC One on Monday, 18 February at 19:30 GMT."

See the accompanying photos on:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-21442474
where there are also links to more online reports about this discovery.




[ Reply to This ]

Dartmoor Early Bronze Age remains will be X-rayed at Salisbury by bat400 on Wednesday, 06 June 2012
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Early Bronze Age remains from a burial site in Dartmoor National Park will be X-rayed at Salisbury District Hospital.

The items were found in a burial cist, a stone chest containing the ashes and belongings of a dead person.

Senior conservator, Helen Williams, said: "We have a real opportunity to research these finds and potentially discover more about the individual buried there."

The items, which include a woven bag, will be scanned at the spinal unit.

The burial cist was excavated from Whitehorse Hill in August 2011. Archaeologists found cremated human bone, burnt textile, and a delicate woven bag inside. The bag contained shale disc beads, amber spherical beads and a circular textile band.

Once the X-ray work is complete, further analysis will be made of the peat surrounding the cist. Archaeologists believe this will give an insight into evidence of the vegetation and climate at the time of the burial.

Thanks to neolithique02 for the link. Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk.
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Prehistoric burial on Dartmoor reveals its secrets by AngieLake on Thursday, 29 December 2011
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An update on the reinstatement of a stone that was removed during the excavations at Whitehorse Hill cist:

http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/Whitehorse-monument-reveals-ancient-secrets/story-14251782-detail/story.html

It ends:
"While the contents of the cist remain a subject of scientific study at Wiltshire Conservation Service laboratory in Chippenham, the site and its stones can now be seen by walkers happy to make the trek out to the site."

[ Reply to This ]

Prehistoric Dartmoor burial reveals nationally important remains by Andy B on Thursday, 17 November 2011
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An excavation, co-ordinated by Dartmoor National Park Authority, has discovered a nationally important collection of Early Bronze Age remains in a burial site situated in Dartmoor National Park. The discovery could prove to be one of the most important archaeological finds of the last 100 years nationally.

The excavation has revealed that cremated human bone and burnt textile was placed within an animal hide or fur on top of a very thin leather and textile object, itself placed above a mat of plant material. At one end of the fur/ hide was a delicate woven bag or basket with fine stitching still visible. The contents inside included beautifully preserved shale disc beads, amber spherical beads (see image bottom right) and a circular textile band. A further layer of matted plant material covered these objects.

The burial cist was excavated in August 2011 and was located on Whitehorse Hill, northern Dartmoor, on land owned by the Duchy of Cornwall. The work was carried out by archaeologists from the Historic Environment Projects Team, Cornwall Council, led by Andrew Jones, with assistance from English Heritage (EH) and Plymouth University specialists.

The project was jointly funded by the Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA) and English Heritage, with contributions from a number of other local funders.

Cists are stone built chests which are used for the burial of cremations or inhumations, and are found in the south west of England and elsewhere but are rarely found with their original contents. Some 200 cists are known on Dartmoor. They may be sunk into the ground or positioned in barrows or mounds. On Dartmoor the Whitehorse Hill cist is the only known example set within a peat mound.

The cist was first discovered over 10 years ago when what appeared to be its end stone fell out of the peat mound which had been concealing it. Since that time the peat has slowly eroded away from the sides and the top of the peat mound. After several attempts to protect the cist, a Scheduled Monument, the decision was taken by the DNPA and EH to excavate it in order to recover any surviving archaeological and environmental information before the site and its context were lost. This was the first excavation of a Dartmoor cist for nearly one hundred years.

Located within peat at 600m altitude on one of Dartmoor’s highest tors, the cist offered high potential for good preservation of any remaining contents and an opportunity to better understand archaeological preservation within upland peat at a time of change in upland management.

The cist’s isolated location and elevated position well away from other known archaeology was unusual. This also caused some logistical problems in getting the necessary equipment and archaeologists up to the site. The Ministry of Defence was of great help providing transport and the use of its Observation Post on Hangingstone Hill as an overnight store.

During the late afternoon, three days into the excavation, the stones of the cist were dismantled and the large cover stone (measuring 0.8 x 0.6m) removed. This revealed a burial deposit lying in situ on the base stone of the cist. Visible remains included bone fragments, a shale bead and what appeared to be hair or fur. Two sharpened wooden stakes were also discovered outside the cist, one lying horizontally against one of the side walls and the other still vertically placed into the peat against one of the end stones.

It was immediately evident that micro-excavation in controlled conditions was essential as, once exposed, the organic remains were very vulnerable.

The entire deposit, including the granite base stone was wrapped and transported to the Wiltshire Conservation Service laboratory where ‘micro excavation’ has taken place, revealing a wealth of information that does not normally survive in most burials on drier soils.

Jane Marchand, Senior Archaeologist for Dartmo

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Re: Whitehorse Hill Prehistoric burial reveals its secrets by AngieLake on Thursday, 17 November 2011
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A friend alerted me to the fact that there had been news coverage on this discovery today on local radio (and I think on TV), but I had missed it. Having googled for info, I found these items:

http://www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/aboutus/news/au-geninterestnews/prehistburial

and

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2011/nov/16/bronze-age-relics-found-dartmoor

'Prehistoric Dartmoor burial reveals nationally important remains'

and

'Bronze age relics found on Dartmoor - Woven bag filled with amber and shale beads among items unearthed in isolated Devon peat mound'

were the titles of those two pieces dated 15th and 16th November 2011.
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Archaeologists investigate Dartmoor prehistoric burial by Andy B on Friday, 26 August 2011
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A prehistoric burial cist, situated high up on Whitehorse Hill on northern Dartmoor has been excavated by archaeologists working for Dartmoor National Park Authority. The cist was discovered 10 years ago when its end stone fell out of the peat hag which had been concealing it.

A temporary wall was erected in front of this area in an attempt to protect the archaeology which it may still contain. The cist is particularly unusual because of its situation within peat and its apparent isolation from other known archaeological sites.

Over the last 10 years the peat surrounding and overlying the cist has eroded away because of its exposed condition and the decision was taken to excavate it in order to recover any surviving archaeological and environmental information which it might contain. It is well over 100 years since a burial cist was excavated on Dartmoor.

It is hoped that analysis of buried pollen, insects and charcoal within the peat will help establish detail of the contemporary surrounding landscape. Artefacts deposited as part of the burial ritual, such as pottery, beads and stone tools will add to the understanding of the time, five thousand years ago, when the burial is believed to have taken place.

Prehistoric cists are a particular kind of burial monument found on Dartmoor. They are chest like structures, usually sunk into the ground, with two long granite side slabs and two end slabs set between the sides and covered with a large slab. They are sometimes found within the remains of a burial cairn, and/or associated with a stone row. They contained both inhumations and cremations. The latter were usually placed in a type of pot known as a Beaker. Flint tools have also been found with the burials

There are nearly 200 surviving cists on Dartmoor and over 90% of these have their long sides orientated in a NW/SE direction. The reason for this particular orientation is not clearly understood, but it was obviously of significance to the prehistoric grave builders.

The excavation was completed earlier this month and publication of the findings will take place later in the year.
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New Dartmoor Archaeology book published by Andy B on Tuesday, 23 August 2011
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English Heritage, in partnership with the Dartmoor National Park Authority, The Ministry of Defence and National Trust, are publishing a new field survey of the archaeology of Dartmoor. The Field Archaeology of Dartmoor by Phil Newman describes and narrates Dartmoor’s landscape history from 4,000 BC to the present, analysing and summarising archaeological and historical studies from the 19th century onwards.

Dartmoor is southern England’s largest tract of upland and its diverse natural qualities assured its designation as one of England’s first National Parks in 1951. Despite the acknowledged natural appeal of Dartmoor as wild, rugged and beautiful, this landscape is not a place comprised only of natural spectacle. The human dimension has pervaded the natural environment for thousands of years – people have adapted and exploited Dartmoor for its natural resources, since at least the Mesolithic period, while settlement and farming has occurred here since the early 2nd millennium BC. There is no part of Dartmoor where human intervention has not played a part in shaping the character of the landscape. Nature, in turn has itself adapted to the changes brought about by humans. The landscape of Dartmoor today represents a synergy between people and the environment.

The book offers an exploration of the elements that comprise the historic landscape of Dartmoor and, through the results of archaeological investigation, explains some of the human activities that have contributed to the shaping and character of the modern landscape. Its geology, prehistoric settlement, Romano-British organisation, medieval character and early tin industry are described in turn. Accounts are given of Dartmoor’s 19th and 20th- century industrial landscape and heritage (tin, copper, silver-lead and china clay) and how they co-existed with traditional forms of upland farming. Subsidiary industries (peat, gunpowder mills, ice works and tramways) and the moor’s use for military training bring the narrative up to the present.

This is the result of extensive fieldwork by the English Heritage Archaeological Survey and Investigation team in which they produced a substantial body of high specification survey data. Moreover, English Heritage aerial photographers have run regular flying programmes over Dartmoor resulting in an impressive collection of new colour and black and white photography, much of which is reproduced within the book. This is a multi-thematic and multi-period piece of research presented in an uncomplicated style.

The Field Archaeology of Dartmoor by Phil Newman

Published by English Heritage, 14 July 2011
RRP £30.00
Isbn: 978-1-84802-033-7
224 illustrations
264pp, 276x219mm

Available at Amazon.co.uk

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Prehistoric burial on Dartmoor reveals its secrets by Andy B on Tuesday, 23 August 2011
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An exciting discovery was made by archaeologists working for Dartmoor National Park Authority on Dartmoor earlier this month while excavating a prehistoric burial situated at over 600 metres above sea level on the north moor.

The cist, a Scheduled Monument at risk, was set within an eroding island of peat and was first discovered over 10 years ago. Attempts to prevent its further deterioration failed because of its exposed location and the excavation was crucial to help record the important fabric and content of the monument before they are totally lost. It is thought to be over a century since a burial cist on Dartmoor was excavated.

Late on Wednesday 10 August archaeologists lifted the top stones of the cist and found what appears to be part of the contents of the burial surviving above the base stone of the cist, these include bone fragments, a shale bead and organic remains. Two sharpened stakes were also found outside the cist, one lay horizontally but the other was placed vertically into the peat against one of the end stones, lying on the base stone of the cist.

The finds are now with a scientific laboratory where micro excavation of the contents will take place, followed by analysis of the various remains and radio carbon dating to establish the age of the burial. Dating and studies of pollen, plant and other biological remains preserved in the surrounding peat will also take place which should establish what the local and wider landscape was like when the cist was built.

The project is led and partly funded by Dartmoor National Park Authority with co-funding from other sources including English Heritage.

Cists are stone built chests used for the burial of cremations or inhumations, and are found in the SW and elsewhere but are rarely found with their original contents. Some 200 cists are known on Dartmoor. They may be sunk into the ground or inserted into barrows or mounds although on Dartmoor the Whitehorse Hill cist is the only known example set within a peat mound.

Source: Dartmoor NPA
http://www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/aboutus/news/au-_partnershipnews/prehistoric-burial-on-dartmoor-reveals-its-secrets

http://www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/aboutus/news/au-geninterestnews/archaeologists-investigate-dartmoor-prehistoric-burial

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