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<< News >> Ancient pastures of Westwood give up their secrets

Submitted by vicky on Friday, 28 May 2004  Page Views: 5496

DiscoveriesHidden secrets below the ancient pastures of Beverley Westwood in East Yorkshire are being investigated by English Heritage archaeologists, using satellite mapping equipment. Residents and dog walkers who stroll on the peaceful commons are mostly unaware of the centuries of history beneath their feet, but the Westwood has monuments of key importance, including a cemetery of burial mounds which probably date to the early Bronze Age (2000 BC) and the middle Iron Age (300 BC).

An initial assessment by English Heritage has indicated that many more features are still awaiting discovery. Now its team has launched an eight-week mission, working with the East Yorkshire Archaeology Society, to discover more about its history over the past 4,000 years.

The work is part of a first-ever national survey of urban commons, which is also investigating common land in towns like Lincoln, York and Doncaster.

Experts say Beverley is remarkable for having as many as five different commons since the Middle Ages, and fieldwork will be carried out on at least three of these including the Westwood, which is the largest. They will be carrying out geophysical surveys to detect features below the ground which are not visible on the surface.

The study will combing analysis of aerial photographs, a survey on the ground and documentary research, but there will be no disturbance to the pastures as there is no excavation involved.

Mitch Pollington, English Heritage investigator, said: "From about the 10th century onwards commons served as a place where livestock could be grazed freely. But their importance transcends their past agricultural or present ecological value.They were also intensively used for all manner of activities, from communal gatherings like country fairs to military rifle ranges in the war.

"The earliest racecourse at Beverley dates to the 18th century and can still be identified through surface features. That's because they escaped modern ploughing, which also helped preserve much older landmarks such as Iron and Bronze Age burial mounds.

"Commons are archaeological encyclopedias and they've been overlooked for far too long."

Rodney Mackey, of the East Riding Archeological Society, said: "To many people commons are just open spaces for walking the dog, but they are so much more.

"I've lived in Beverley all my life and always maintained a strong interest in the Westwood's history, ancient and modern. So it's good to team up with English Heritage to discover more about its rich history."

English Heritage has just completed a similar survey in York, where unsuspected First World War practice trenches were found.

Source: Beverley Today 27/05/2004



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