It is nearly 3 years since the 'official'
discovery of the bronze-age timber circle on Holme's beach.
In that time it has been attacked with a
chain saw,
sat upon by Druids and other protesters, discussed in the
High Court in London,
removed from
its site by Norfolk Archaeologists, stored in water tanks open to the air at
Flag Fen and been 'resurrected' by Channel Four's Time Team in a
local apple orchard. It has also been debated and
conferred upon at the University of East Anglia and in the
Town Hall at King's Lynn.
Almost a year ago, with no prospect of long term conservation of Seahenge, a
meeting in Holme village hall between villagers,
protesters, Druids, English Heritage, Norfolk Archaeology and the owner of the timbers,
agreed a plan for burying the timbers deep within the clay of Holme beach. It was
said that this would keep them in a state of preservation for some future generation who
might then have the expertise for successful preservation and display.
Archaeologist Martin Jones of Cambridge University later
questioned this decision to bury. He was reported in The
New Scientist as saying, "There is no sound scientific evidence about what would
happen. It is complete guesswork. . . . .the idea that this is a sound mechanism of
preservation is complete bunkum."
On the 25th of April this year English Heritage
releasing another statement said, "In view of the great international significance of
the timbers and the value of the information being derived from them, the commission has
advised that English Heritage should fund further investigations prior to a decision on
the long-term future of the timbers being made."
Today, the 15th October 2001, there has been another English Heritage news
release saying that the Timber Circle is to be saved for future generations as
"'Seahenge' is one of the most important discoveries of recent years for British
archaeology. It has opened a new window into the Bronze Age and by conserving the
timbers we will be preserving them for future generations to experience for
themselves". The complete English Heritage Statement is as follows:-
| "TIMBER CIRCLE TO BE SAVED FOR
FUTURE GENERATIONS 'Seahenge', the
important Bronze Age Timber Circle that was recovered from the seashore at Holme, Norfolk,
is to be saved and conserved for future generations. This course of action,
proposed by English Heritage, was announced and discussed at a meeting of the Timber
Circle Working Group on Wednesday 10 October in Hunstanton, Norfolk.
David Miles, Chief Archaeologist at English Heritage,
said: "Seahenge is one of the most important discoveries of recent years for
British archaeology. It has opened a new window into the Bronze Age and by
conserving the timbers we will be preserving them for future generations to experience for
themselves".
A proposal that the timbers be reburied at Holme beach was
carefully considered and English Heritage consulted scientists throughout the world in the
process. The English Heritage Science and Conservation Panel and its statutory
Ancient Monuments Advisory Committee concluded that a reburial on the beach would not
guarantee the long-term preservation of these important timbers. Instead, English
Heritage Commissioners agreed that the most responsible course of action was to conserve
the timbers and guarantee their safe storage thereafter.
The conservation programme, fully funded by English
Heritage, will take place at the Flag Fen archaeological centre near Peterborough.
The whole process will take at least five years, during which Time English Heritage will
discuss with local partners and the owner of the timbers, the le Strange Estate,
possibilities for the future display of this unique survival from the early Bronze Age.
The 'Seahenge' timbers have been precisely dated to spring
2050BC and 2049BC using pioneering dating techniques. Speculation continues as to
the purpose of 'Seahenge' and the study of axe marks on the wood has shown that about
three dozen bronze tools were used to cut and trim the timbers, suggesting that the
construction was a communal activity.
English Heritage, in partnership with Norfolk County
Council, will also produce a travelling exhibition and booklet about 'Seahenge' and the
important discoveries made about this fascinating structure." |
There is no mention of the other timber circle and mysteries
found more recently on Holme beach close by where Seahenge used to be. See
At Holme with Seahenge
Holme Parish Council Chairman Geoff Needham, who was at the meeting on the 10th
October, reports that Seahenge was considered too important to be re-buried. It will
be stored or displayed if agreement can be reached on venue and funding.
There will be a meeting on the 27th November in Holme Village Hall at 7.30pm
when David Miles and Philip Walker of English Heritage and Brian Ayers and David Gurney of
the Norfolk Museum Service will report to the local community on the latest decision.
|
