The archaeologists found burnt flints, remains of animals and tools
Posted on 12/20/2014 11:21:34 AM PST by SunkenCiv
Archaeologists working on a site near Stonehenge say they have found an untouched 6,000-year-old encampment which "could rewrite British history".
David Jacques, from the University of Buckingham, made the discovery at Blick Mead in October, and said the carbon dating results had just been confirmed.
But he also raised concerns about possible damage to the site over plans to build a road tunnel past Stonehenge.
The Department of Transport said it would "consult before any building".
The Blick Mead site is about 1.5 miles (2.4km) from Stonehenge and archaeologists said "scientifically tested charcoal" dug up from the site had "revealed that it dated from around 4000 BC".
David Jacques said the dig had also found "evidence of feasting" including burnt flints, tools and remains of giant cattle, known as aurochs, which were eaten by early hunter gatherers.
Mr Jacques said: "British pre-history may have to be rewritten. This is the latest dated Mesolithic encampment ever found in the UK.
"Blick Mead site connects the early hunter gatherer groups returning to Britain after the Ice Age to the Stonehenge area, all the way through to the Neolithic in the late 5th Millennium BC.
"But our only chance to find out about the earliest chapter of Britain's history could be wrecked if the tunnel goes ahead."
Andy Rhind-Tutt, a former mayor and current chairman of Amesbury Museum, which part-funded the dig, said the discovery could "provide what archaeologists have been searching for centuries -- the answer to the story of the pre-history of Stonehenge."
Earlier this month, the government announced funding for a 1.8-mile (2.9km) tunnel to remove congestion from the main road past Stonehenge.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
The archaeologists found burnt flints, remains of animals and tools
http://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/stonehenge-discovery-could-rewrite-british-pre-history/ar-BBgZGaB
http://www.archaeology.org/news/2841-141219-stonehenge-blick-mead
http://www.buckinghamtoday.co.uk/news/more-news/6-000-year-old-stonehenge-encampment-find-sparks-tunnel-row-1-6483063
Thanks ConorMacNessa.
What’s the sense of studing History until it is all finished?
They just have to keep revising it and that wastes trees.
David Jacques and the excavations at Blick Mead near Stonehenge
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqeCKdvCCIE
Supplemental.
"Earlier this month, the government announced funding for a 1.8-mile (2.9km) tunnel to remove congestion from the main road past Stonehenge.
It doesn't need a stinking tunnel.
Just finish widening the road up to the next junction.
Someone doesn’t seem to want the tunnel built. I’m not sure why they want to build a tunnel up there, perhaps they want the surroundings to look pristine.
‘David Jacques, from the University of Buckingham made the discovery at Blick Mead in October, and said the carbon dating results had just been confirmed.’
So then,the nicks in the stone that are there from the making of that flint should be named ‘Buckingham Nicks’:)
I only wish my Scottish Grandfather were alive to read about these new discoveries, he’s the one who taught me what HE knew about Stonehenge. Since then it’s been a lifelong love of mine to read about. But I never anticipated we’d learn so much about it. Just wonderful!
“early hunter gatherer groups returning to Britain after the Ice Age”
I’m not familiar with the pre-history/history of Britain before the arrival of the Romans, so at the risk of looking clueless-does anyone know where these hunter gatherers went to wait out the Ice Age? It isn’t like there was a tropical resort within reach...
Thanks Slambat.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKBft-I4UdU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRC6zCVqz7o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9u7w4Yx8uW8
The tunnel is going in (possibly); the idea is indeed to reduce traffic stops and the general stink and noise near a major tourist attraction. Not everyone is in favor of such projects, as the comments sections seem to indicate.
three places, known as ‘Ice Age Refuges’. One would be the Cantabrian coast of Spain, and further down, the second would be around the Balkans and I think the third was south of the Alps, somebody correct me if I am wrong. DNA studies however show that many remained in the ice-free zones of the Russian/Siberian tundra and hunted Mammoths.
Britain during the ice Ages was covered in ice down to about Kent. When it drew back the people followed the herds out of the refuges and voila, flints and charcoal in the British Isles.
At 3000BC could they have been the people the Old Kingdom Egyptians called Westerners?
The Earth, for instance, is said to be 4.5 billions years old.
Go figure.
Lol! Love that album, have it also in cd, My fav: Crystal:) Just saw them, recommend their concert but they did not sing Crystal, darn.
But really, Buckingham Nicks on that little flint from those rockin’ Stonehenge guys:)
The tunnel would be nice ,but the country can’t afford it at the moment.
It is purely a vindictive vanity project.
Widening the road is cheap, this would allow the site to be investigated then the tunnel built when we can afford it.
As was settled with the prevous government before the current redevelopment began.
Thank you! I have read that part of Spain remained more livable but I never thought about Britons going there to get away from the ice.
Some lower latitude or lower altitude, or both. :’)
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/doggerland/index
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1540524/posts
early humans were living in Britain around 700,000 years ago
400,000-year-old remains of a massive elephant
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/dietandcuisine/index
Front Garden Yields Ancient Tools (250,000 Years-Old, UK)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1652623/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/990354/posts
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