Inside Salisbury: Early Bronze Age Cist
A team from Wiltshire to work on the Bronze Age Cist used to bury the dead in prehistoric times
by Annette J Beveridge
A Conservation and Museums Advisory Service from Wiltshire will excavate an Early Bronze Age cist taking material found inside and transporting it back to Wiltshire.
The Conservation and Museums Advisory Service (CMAS) based at the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre will work with Archaeologist and Excavation Director, Dr Bray, and other specialists to examine and preserve any uncovered items.
The cist is a stone-built box used to bury the dead in prehistoric times. They can contain human remains and other materials associated with the deceased. Site surveys and analysis, including radiocarbon dating of charcoal from inside the cist, gave a date of around 1,800BC - or 3,800 years old.
The Conservation and Museums Manager for Wiltshire Council’s CMAS, Heather Perry, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Dartmoor National Park Authority to uncover the secrets contained within this Early Bronze Age cist.
“Our team are currently undertaking meticulous micro-excavations of the cist with the utmost care to preserve any items contained within.”
There are parallels to the cist unearthed at Whitehorse Hill in 2011. The finds from this cist changed people’s understanding of Early Bronze Age life on Dartmoor. It is anticipated that micro-excavations will be complete by the end of January.
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CMAS specialises in the conservation and preservation of archaeological material and has been commissioned by Dartmoor National Park Authority to undertake micro-excavations in controlled laboratory conditions to uncover items within the cist and preserve them.
Dartmoor National Park Authority has revealed the cist contains well-preserved wood and other materials yet to be identified. The discovery was made at Cut Hill, one of Dartmoor’s highest and most isolated hills, following a three-day excavation in August.
The micro-excavation is a slow process and takes place in 2cm stages. The damp peatland conditions in which the cist was found will be maintained throughout the excavation to prevent the structural integrity of any materials or items from being compromised.
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Wood, textile and other specialists will be called in at short notice to examine the finds and assist with preservation.
Dartmoor National Park Authority Archaeologist and Excavation Director, Dr Lee Bray, said: “Dartmoor is one of the most important sites for Bronze Age archaeology in Europe, so we're really excited by the excavation of the Early Bronze Age cist at Cut Hill.
“The results of the micro-excavation have every chance of giving us unique insights into this very important period in Dartmoor’s human past, and help people understand, enjoy and protect its rich and varied cultural heritage."
Main photo credit: Copyright Laura Basell of University of Leicester
