Bronze Age dig at burial site 'may be one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the century'

Human remains and items such as a woven basket and amber beads found

Experts say they date back 4,000 years

Only known example set within a peat mound



An early Bronze Age burial chest containing cremated bones and material dating back 4,000 years has been excavated on Dartmoor.



The collection of artefacts could be one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the last 100 years, experts have said.

Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA) said the stone-built chest or 'cist' - which was used for the burial of ashes - was discovered at Whitehorse Hill in Devon, one of Dartmoor's highest peaks.

The dig site: The collection of artefacts could be one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the last 100 years



Cremated human bones were among the items found in the burial chest, known as a cist, during the dig on Whitehorse Hill on Dartmoor, Devon

As well as human remains, other items were found including leather, a woven basket or bag and amber beads preserved in peat.

Jane Marchand, senior archaeologist for DNPA and the Whitehorse Hill Project manager, said: 'This is a most unusual and fascinating glimpse into what an early Bronze Age grave goods assemblage on Dartmoor might have looked like when it was buried, including the personal possessions of people living on the moor around 4,000 years ago.'

Cists are common in the south-west of England and elsewhere, with 200 known on Dartmoor alone.



But they are rarely found with their original contents.



Experts said the one discovered on Whitehorse Hill may have been better preserved because it is the only known example set within a peat mound.

As well as human remains, other Bronze Age items were found including leather, a woven basket or bag and amber beads preserved in peat

The cist was first discovered more than ten years ago when what appeared to be its end stone fell out of the peat mound which had been concealing it.

Since that time, the peat has slowly eroded away from the sides and the top.

After several attempts to protect the cist - a scheduled monument - the decision was taken by DNPA and English Heritage to excavate it in order to recover any surviving archaeological and environmental information before it is destroyed.

The excavation, which took place in August, was the first excavation of a Dartmoor cist for nearly 100 years and involved experts from Cornwall Council's historic environment projects team, with assistance from English Heritage and specialists from the University of Plymouth.

National park: The burial site excavation took place at Whitehorse Hill on Dartmoor (general photo of the national park), one of the park's tallest peaks



The site of the Bronze Age excavation



They found that cremated human bone and burnt textile material were placed within an animal hide or fur on top of a very thin leather and textile object, itself placed above a mat made from plant material.

At one end of the fur/hide was a delicate woven bag or basket, with fine stitching still visible.



The contents inside included well-preserved shale disc beads, amber spherical beads and a circular textile band.

The entire deposit, including the cist's granite base stone, was wrapped and taken to the Wiltshire Conservation Service laboratory where 'micro-excavation' was carried out, 'revealing a wealth of information that does not normally survive in most burials on drier soils'.

Further examination is still being carried out, including pollen analysis to determine the climate and plant life around at the time.