From the Dartmoor National Park pages, 21st July 2009
Come to Bellever, near Postbridge on 1 August 2009 and see archaeology in action at the excavation of a pre-historic round house. There will also be displays and demonstrations on a Bronze Age theme at Postbridge, throughout the day, setting the scene for those wishing to walk out to the dig site. The day has been organised by Dartmoor National Park Authority and Devon County Council, to celebrate the Council for British Archaeology’s Festival of British Archaeology and National Parks’ Week.
The fun starts at 10 am and there will be a marquee at Postbridge hosting stalls, displays and demonstrations from a variety of organisations including the Devon Archaeological Society, the Royal Albert Museum, the Dartmoor Trust and the Dartmoor Pony Trust. Bring the family and try pottery making, handle replica Bronze Age tools and weapons or try your hand at grinding corn the old-fashioned way.
Danielle Wootton, Devon’s finds liaison officer from the Portable Antiquities Scheme will be holding her ‘finds surgery’ throughout the day in the marquee. This will provide the opportunity for members of the public to bring along any items such as pottery, coins, flint and metal artefacts that they have found whilst walking, gardening or metal detecting for identification and recording.
Postbridge will also be the starting point for two free guided walks that are taking place on the day. The walks will be led by Dartmoor National Park Authority archaeologists and will visit the excavation, starting at 10 am and 2 pm, lasting approximately 3 hours. Places are limited so booking in advance is essential. Telephone 01822 880272 to secure a place. Those who wish to walk independently have a couple of options, there will be a self guided walk leaflet available for £1.50 from the Information Centre or, if you have access to an ipod or mp3, you can download the new Bellever audio walk from www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk.
A small excavation took place at the site last year and findings were exceptional; amongst the features and artefacts unearthed included a ritual cairn, a well preserved paved stone floor, quantities of pottery, post and stake holes and a piece of preserved bronze age timber! This information tells us that the site has a long sequence of occupation, abandonment and re-use over 3,500 years ago. This is a rare opportunity to witness archaeological investigation on a pre-historic dwelling on Dartmoor.
This year it is hoped to increase understanding of the site by opening up new areas of excavation, possibly identify new features and recover further artefacts and information that will add to our understanding of the fascinating story of the round house.
For original article and further information go here.
