Archaeologists Unearth 3,900-Year-Old Bronze Age Burial Chamber on Dartmoor

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Archaeologists have uncovered a remarkable Bronze Age burial chamber on one of Dartmoor's most remote hills, shedding new light on prehistoric life in England. The discovery, made during a three-day excavation at Cut Hill earlier this month, has been described as "stunning" by these experts.

The burial site, known as a cist, was found after reports of a feature becoming visible in the peat. Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA), which led the excavation, revealed that the chamber dates back approximately 3,900 years, based on radiocarbon dating of charcoal found within the site.

Dr. Lee Bray, the excavation director, expressed the team's amazement upon lifting the capstone and peering inside the stone-built box, stating:

Not only is the cist bigger than we expected, but it contained multiple pieces of wood that appear to have been deliberately shaped and cut.

This raises intriguing questions about the purpose of the wood—was it part of an object that was intentionally placed inside the grave? And if so, what was its significance, and who did it belong to?

The discovery parallels a similar find at Dartmoor's Whitehorse Hill in 2011, where archaeologists unearthed items including cremated human bone, a woven bag, and amber beads. The potential for further discoveries at Cut Hill is high, as Dr. Bray indicated that the team's ongoing exploration might uncover additional artifacts, sparking new revelations.

The contents of the cist have now been removed for further examination, with hopes that they will offer new insights into the burial practices and life of Bronze Age communities in the region. The DNPA emphasized that this find, much like the Whitehorse Hill burial, is crucial in understanding the connections and cultural practices of people who lived on Dartmoor nearly four millennia ago.