The richest Early Bronze Age burial site in Britain has been found by astonished archaeologists at Wessex Archaeology. The grave of a mature man was found near Amesbury, Wiltshire, and contains far more objects than any other burial of this date, about 2,300 BC.
The man has been identified as an archer on the basis of stone arrow heads and stone wristguards that protected the arm from the recoil of the bow. There were also stone tool kits for butchering carcasses and for making more arrowheads if needed.
According to Dr. Andrew Fitzpatrick, Project Manager for Wessex Archaeology, what makes the discovery unique is the quantity and quality of the finds.
"As well as the archery equipment, the man had three copper knives and a pair of gold earrings. We think that the earrings were wrapped around the ear rather than hanging from the ear lobe. These are some of the earliest kinds of metal object found in Britain. They were very rare and the metals they were made from may have been imported. The fact that so many valuable objects have been found together is unique. This association is the most important thing about the find."
The area around Stonehenge is famous for its rich Bronze Age burials. Andrew Lawson, Chief Executive of Wessex Archaeology, points out that this burial is several hundred years earlier than any of them.
"It raises the question of who this archer was and why his mourners buried so many valuable things with him," Lawson declared.
Wessex Archaeology is the archaeological practice of the Trust for Wessex Archaeology, a registered charity with educational objectives.
Related websites:
More on the find, with images
All About Wessex Archaeology
[Contact: Dr. Andrew Fitzpatrick]
20-May-2002
