The Norfolk Archaeology Unit has confirmed
that preliminary radio carbon dating tests have indicated that the so-called sea-henge is
a Bronze Age relic.
Investigations will continue to fix the
specific date of this tree circle. These tests are being done by the acknowledged
experts at Queens University, Belfast.
A Norwich Museum spokesperson has said that
it is now expected that further archaeological checks will be made along this stretch of
the North West Norfolk coastline to see if any other sites or artefacts can be found that
would help in deciding the circle's origin.
The Archeaological Unit is now saying that
it is misleading to describe the monument as a henge.
English Heritage's Ancient Monuments
Advisory Committee will be making decisions on the circle's future when further reports
are to hand.
Local people have put forward many theories
as to it's origin. One considered most likely is that it was a dwelling of some kind
for a marshman.
The theory of a medieval hoax now has to be
discounted! Not so far fetched it seemed, as Mr. Brian Ayers of the Archaeological
Unit is reported by the Eastern Daily Press to have said that "there was always a
chance that it could have been just a few hundred years old". |
Holme-next-the-Sea Parish Council Chairman,
Mr. Geoff Needham discovered the circle ten years ago.
He reported his find to the archaeological
unit of the day who, after taking samples, decided that it was a natural phenomenon.
Six months afterwards, the sea had again covered up the site and it remained hidden for a
number of years. It is thought locally that this will likely happen again.
* * *
There have been many visitors to the site. Over Easter particularly when the
tide was at its lowest during the early afternoon.
Holme is a very small village and has been
having great difficulty in coping with a large influx of visitors.
There are no special parking facilities and
for villagers to be blocked in their homes by randomly parked vehicles is felt to be
unfair.
Norwich Museum has a bronze Age Exhibition
currently on display hoping that people will use this source for information rather than
visiting the actual site where no information at all is forthcoming.
The Museum can be contacted on (01603)493658 or their web site
www.norfolk.gov.uk/Tourism/Museums/
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