Online resources: Prehistory
How to identify Neolithic monuments
Photos, descriptions and bullet-pointed lists of the typical features of Neolithic long barrows, round barrows, causewayed enclosures, passage tombs, cursuses and henges
https://digventures.com/2025/02/how-to-identify-neolithic-monuments/?mc_cid=c6fe5e42c1&mc_eid=fc106e6893
The world’s oldest surviving homes
Slide show of homes in Britain, Continental Europe, Asia and the Americas which remain in use hundreds of years after being built.
https://www.loveexploring.com/gallerylist/102668/the-oldest-homes-in-the-world-still-standing
The Secrets of Grim’s Ditch
Paul Whitewick explores and explains ancient man-made contours in the landscape as part of his YouTube series about Britain’s mystery lines.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buvTD2HV6dc
Evidence of Iron Age chariot found in Wales
A bridle-bit and terret ring typical of the gear used by Ancient Celts to hitch a horse to a chariot were uncovered at an airfield in 2024 by military personnel and veterans. Thought to be part of the Llyn Cerrig Bach hoard originally discovered in the 1940s, and declared to be treasure by the Senior Coroner for Wales, the artefacts are destined to go on show at Oriel Môn in Anglesey.
https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/archaeology/a63773134/chariot-horse-bridle/?source=nl&utm_source=nl_pop&utm_medium=email&date=021325&utm_campaign=nl01_021325_HBU38550557&oo=&user_email=84ce638986bc73b191ec0774c05a547009942838093c58c9450b62a0b824de21&GID=84ce638986bc73b191ec0774c05a547009942838093c58c9450b62a0b824de21&utm_term=TEST-%20NEW%20TEST%20-%20Sending%20List%20-%20AM%20180D%20Clicks%2C%20NON%20AM%2090D%20Opens%2C%20Both%20Subbed%20Last%2030D
The inside of Herculaneum scrolls can be seen for first time in almost 2,000 years
Technological developments have enabled papyrus scrolls found at Herculaneum to be virtually unfolded. One of the first words to be deciphered was the Ancient Greek word for ‘disgust’.
https://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/about/media/feb25/herculaneum-scroll?dm_i=7QRX,DTSF,379DBI,1F0TG,1
The challenge to find out more is ongoing:
https://scrollprize.org/
King Arthur’s Hall is over 5,000 years old
Excavations on Bodmin Moor in Cornwall have revealed that a rectangular structure which has traditionally been associated with the legendary King Arthur is, in fact, Neolithic. This means it was in existence at least 4,500 years before the first accounts of King Arthur were in circulation.
https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/medieval-king-arthur-site-is-4-000-years-older-than-we-thought
UK’s deepest mine
Boulby Mine under the North Yorkshire Moors is 1,400m deep in places. It’s home to an underground laboratory and provides 350,000 tonnes of rock salt annually from deposits laid down 250 million years ago, as well as other commodities, such as potash.
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/gallery/inside-uks-deepest-mine-half-30699718
Dig Ventures’ best archaeology discoveries in 2024
Photos and descriptions of eight finds from a wide range of periods.
https://digventures.com/2024/12/our-best-archaeology-discoveries-2024/
The oldest rocks on Earth
Geological specimens ranging in age from 3.5 to 4.4 billion years old are scattered across the planet. Brief descriptions and photographs of examples from Australia, North America, Africa, Asia, Europe and Antarctica are supplemented by a map.
https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/geology/the-oldest-rocks-on-earth
Recently rediscovered Neolithic stone circles
Located on Dartmoor, the two stone circles may have been part of a ‘sacred arc’.
https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/2-stone-age-circles-discovered-on-english-moorland-may-have-been-part-of-a-sacred-arc
How hillfort dwellers obtained water
With the aid of clues yielded by LiDAR surveys, James Walks in History explores Bratton Camp Hillfort near Westbury in Wiltshire to demonstrate how dew ponds dug into the ramparts of the fort and run-off from the roofs of round houses on top of it are likely to have supplied the needs of those based there. Fascinating 9-minute video with optional subtitles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AH03EcD5X_M
The Ridgeway
The current official route of The Ridgeway stretches from Overton Hill in Wiltshire to Beacon Hill in Hertfordshire; but the presenter, Paul Whitewick, showcases evidence which suggests that 5,000 years ago it was much longer, running from the Dorset coast through the now-submerged Doggerland towards north-western mainland Europe. Mary-Ann Ochota, who has previously given two excellent talks to CLSH, features in the 13-minute video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IO2eEGARfms
Measuring up the mega and mini henges of Neolithic Britain
Photos and descriptions of Durrington Walls, Mount Pleasant, King Arthur’s Round Table, Hindwell Roman Fort site, and the following henges: Marden, Wilsford, Bush Barrow, Thornborough, Mayburgh, and Flagstones.
https://members.ancient-origins.net/neolithic-henges
Possible ‘mega fort’ found in Wales hints at tension between Celts and Romans
The area is has the typical playing-card shape of a Roman fort and is believed to have measured roughly 185 by 155 metres, though more research is needed to confirm a definite Roman link.
https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/romans/possible-mega-fort-found-in-wales-hints-at-tension-between-romans-and-celtics?utm_term=45CAB862-7568-43AB-A667-BD7298D261D3&lrh=84ce638986bc73b191ec0774c05a547009942838093c58c9450b62a0b824de21&utm_campaign=368B3745-DDE0-4A69-A2E8-62503D85375D&utm_medium=email&utm_content=46EF393D-2B26-4B1E-AE7C-FB475DCE1983&utm_source=SmartBrief
Bronze Age burial chamber found on Dartmoor
Lined with granite, the chamber contained the cremated remains of a young adult and has been dated to between 1730 and 1600 BC.
https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/stunning-bronze-age-burial-chamber-discovered-on-the-english-moor
Britain’s Superhenge
Massive 4,500-year-old monoliths found under Durrington Walls in Wiltshire might be the largest prehistoric monument ever found.
https://www.thevintagenews.com/2016/01/13/durrington-walls-casts-up-a-new-standing-stone-riddle/
Welsh sites in danger from climate change
The bad news: a hillfort, a Roman road, a bridge, and a stately home in North Wales are among more than 30,000 sites in the Principality believed to be at risk from climate change. The good news: identifying these sites has enabled adaptation measures to be put in place to mitigate possible damage.
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/trips-breaks/10-priceless-sites-north-wales-29753057
Iron Age bridle mount excavated at Greenfield Valley Heritage Park
Pottery, a hearth and postholes have also been found at the Flintshire site, pointing to cooperative links between the Iron Age Deceangli tribe and the Roman legionary fortress of Deva.
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/teenager-finds-2000-year-old-29809487?IYA-mail=94abe4d3-b8e5-4dfc-8e0d-a89cea13af95
Monumental prehistoric henge found in Lincolnshire
Archaeologists hoping to discover more about the home of the hermit St Guthlac at Crowland discovered much older remains than anticipated.
https://metro.co.uk/2024/04/16/archaeologists-looking-a-saint-found-a-stone-age-surprise-20650987/
Does a cave beneath Pembroke Castle hold the key to the fate of early Britons?
https://www.theguardian.com/science/article/2024/jun/22/does-a-cave-beneath-pembroke-castle-hold-key-to-fate-of-early-britons
Iron Age farmsteads, two Roman villas and a World War II airfield revealed at Attingham Park during an archaeological survey commissioned by the National Trust to improve nature restoration
https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/roman-shropshire-attingham-park-iron-age-english-b2573647.html
Ancient ruins obliterated by nature
Gallery of sites across the world.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/travel/news/ancient-ruins-obliterated-by-mother-nature-in-the-uk-and-beyond/ss-BB1nJUhG
Shaped quartz crystals found at ancient ceremonial site
The crystals may have been used to decorate Neolithic graves.
https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1871673/archaeology-discovery-rare-crystals-dorstone-hill-spt
The Stone Circles of Wales
Photos and brief descriptions of 11 prehistoric monuments.
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/stone-circles-wales-fascinating-reasons-13361114#ICID=sharebar_pinterest
‘England’s Pompeii’ gives insights into life in Britain 3,000 years ago
Numerous well-preserved artefacts have been found among the remains of Bronze Age huts destroyed by fire in the East Anglian Fens.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/peterborough-pompeii-bronzeage-discovery-dig-b2515155.html
Archaeologists uncover the secrets beneath Arthur’s Stone in Herefordshire
https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1871844/archaeology-arthurs-stone-neolithic-herefordshire-spt
Archaeologists discover the world’s oldest wooden structure
In a video lasting just over 8 minutes Professor Larry Barham presents and discusses wooden remains shaped by human hands over 477,000 years ago and found under a river in Zambia by a team led by Liverpool University
https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/feature/oldest-wooden-structure/
Ancient Irish Gold
Photos and info about some of the most stunning gold artefacts ever made in Europe
https://www.reenaahluwalia.com/blog/2013/7/6/r-irelands-gold
When did humans start burying their dead?
https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/when-did-humans-start-burying-their-dead?utm_term=45CAB862-7568-43AB-A667-BD7298D261D3&lrh=84ce638986bc73b191ec0774c05a547009942838093c58c9450b62a0b824de21&utm_campaign=368B3745-DDE0-4A69-A2E8-62503D85375D&utm_medium=email&utm_content=99C8F233-401C-4298-B580-CF8DF1C6C222&utm_source=SmartBrief
Oldest known human footprints in North America
Two different dating techniques indicate that footprints on fossilized trackways in New Mexico’s White Sands National Park are between 21,000 and 23,000 years old.
https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/debate-settled-oldest-human-footprints-in-north-america-really-are-23000-years-old-study-finds?utm_term=45CAB862-7568-43AB-A667-BD7298D261D3&lrh=84ce638986bc73b191ec0774c05a547009942838093c58c9450b62a0b824de21&utm_campaign=368B3745-DDE0-4A69-A2E8-62503D85375D&utm_medium=email&utm_content=15F87901-BC4D-4B09-A247-485866993183&utm_source=SmartBrief
Neolithic monuments in Northern Ireland
Photos and descriptions of some of Northern Ireland’s the less well-known Neolithic sites, including Fourknocks Passage Tomb, Loughcrew Megalithic Cemetery, Monknewtown Ritual Pond, the Mound of Hostages, and Dowth.
https://digventures.com/2025/02/hidden-gems-neolithic-monuments-to-explore-beyond-newgrange/?mc_cid=c6fe5e42c1&mc_eid=fc106e6893
Ritual use of cheese at Durrington Walls
Archaeological analysis has revealed that pottery in ceremonial areas at Durrington Walls, a Neolithic henge in Wiltshire, contains the residue of dairy products, whereas pottery in nearby residential areas contains meat residue.
https://digventures.com/2015/10/cheese-was-food-of-the-gods-in-neolithic-britain/?mc_cid=c6fe5e42c1&mc_eid=fc106e6893
Scotland’s Most Mysterious Stone-Age Settlements
https://www.ancient-origins.net/videos/orkney-islands-stone-age-settlements-0019594?utm_source=jeeng&utm_medium=email&trigger=click
Archaeologists discover world’s oldest wooden structure
https://news.liverpool.ac.uk/2023/09/20/archaeologists-discover-worlds-oldest-wooden-structure/
The Gristhorpe Man: a Bronze Age skeleton with a story to tell
https://www.ancient-origins.net/human-origins-science/gristhorpe-manronze-003406?utm_source=jeeng&utm_medium=email&trigger=click
Dorset’s fossil forest
Thanks to ancient microbes, a forest of Jurassic cypress tree stumps 145 million years old extends across 95 miles of the Dorset coastline.
https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/fossils/fossil-forest-dorset-englands-145-million-year-old-tree-stump-fossils-preserved-by-ancient-microbes
Is this Britain’s oldest dwelling?
Traces of a roundhouse on the Mesolithic site of Star Carr, beside the long-dried-up Lake Flixton in North Yorkshire, are believed to be around 10,500 years old. Carpentry artefacts and a head-dress made from the antlers of a red deer were also found at the site by archaeologists. This website offers descriptions of the finds are accompanied by analyses, photographs and explanations of construction techniques:
https://www.splashtravels.com/world-history/world-just-got-glimpse-britains-earliest-home-10500-years-old