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The Modern Antiquarian Forum » Suffolk » Exciting Neolithic spring site at Woodbridge |
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Rhiannon 5291 posts |
Jun 28, 2018, 08:45
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Somewhat old news I suppose as I think the digs are done and dusted and there's nothing left to see. Although I suppose there wasn't anything left to see anyway, apart from in the imagination. But there's lots to imagine: springs and wooden trackways and auroch's skulls on sticks... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-44455266 https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/jun/28/archaeologists-stumble-on-neolithic-ritual-site-in-suffolk Pretty cool. The two links' descriptions don't tally entirely, but the guardian one suggests a spring enclosed by a causewayed enclosure, and the site re-enclosed up until the Iron Age, and only properly covered in the 11th century. Very intriguing. And Scottish power have apparently diverted their cable line away from the area? so that would be a positive thing at least? does that suggest if there's more hidden there it'll stay unpoked for now? |
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goffik 3926 posts |
Jun 28, 2018, 09:42
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I bookmarked this earlier - will definitely read it at lunchtime! I bloody love a good spring, me! Did I ever mention that? G x
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Sanctuary 4670 posts |
Jun 28, 2018, 12:12
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Rhiannon wrote: Somewhat old news I suppose as I think the digs are done and dusted and there's nothing left to see. Although I suppose there wasn't anything left to see anyway, apart from in the imagination. But there's lots to imagine: springs and wooden trackways and auroch's skulls on sticks... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-44455266 https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/jun/28/archaeologists-stumble-on-neolithic-ritual-site-in-suffolk Pretty cool. The two links' descriptions don't tally entirely, but the guardian one suggests a spring enclosed by a causewayed enclosure, and the site re-enclosed up until the Iron Age, and only properly covered in the 11th century. Very intriguing. And Scottish power have apparently diverted their cable line away from the area? so that would be a positive thing at least? does that suggest if there's more hidden there it'll stay unpoked for now? Outrageous - neither article links it to Stonehenge! The words ritual and ceremonies got in though :-) Joking apart - great find and you can bet there are loads more around in this green and pleasant land of ours still waiting to be discovered!
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Monganaut 2375 posts |
Edited Jun 28, 2018, 15:38
Jun 28, 2018, 15:09
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Ooh, that's exciting. I do love that part of the world, Suffolk and Norfolk, and expect there is a lot more ancient stuff to find in those counties. There is deffo something limnal about some of those off the beaten track places in the region. They found some of the oldest footprints outside of Africa in Happisburgh some years back, and like the footprints that regularly turn up at Formby Point, they were gone in a few tides. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-26025763 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happisburgh_footprints
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tjj 3606 posts |
Edited Jun 29, 2018, 11:48
Jun 29, 2018, 11:46
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Have only just read this Rhiannon (Nix too). Yes, it is exciting ... "On a recent scorching day, the trackway level of the site was still sodden. “You can’t stop the water,” archaeologist Vinny Monahan said. “We came upon evidence of various attempts to drain the field, but it bubbles up wherever you dig.” It is easy to see why natural water sources springing from deep within the earth were (and should still be) considered sacred. Life giving.
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Rhiannon 5291 posts |
Jun 29, 2018, 18:15
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June, my sister and I went to Shapwick Heath yesterday, home of wooden tracks crossing the marshiness 5700 years ago. Being amongst all the water is so soothing. Dappled light coming through the stunted trees, reflections on the water, frogs plopping in, such a contrast with the burning conditions outside. I know it's not a spring, but perhaps there was a similar air of watery weirdness and stillness there, closeness to nature. I don't think that's just my judgement - it's quite near glastonbury so you might expect it, but there were more than a handful of hippyish women mooching around looking a bit spaced out!. I don't think they were there for the birds :) There was the most surreal huge lake covered in lilypads, an amazing sight. And we saw a marsh harrier and a bittern. I'm getting off the subject here. It'd be quite a trek for you but if you ever get the chance to go, it's definitely got an ancient squishy vegetationy vibe, I thoroughly recommend.
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tjj 3606 posts |
Edited Jun 29, 2018, 21:01
Jun 29, 2018, 20:46
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Rhiannon wrote: June, my sister and I went to Shapwick Heath yesterday, home of wooden tracks crossing the marshiness 5700 years ago. Being amongst all the water is so soothing. Dappled light coming through the stunted trees, reflections on the water, frogs plopping in, such a contrast with the burning conditions outside. I know it's not a spring, but perhaps there was a similar air of watery weirdness and stillness there, closeness to nature. I don't think that's just my judgement - it's quite near glastonbury so you might expect it, but there were more than a handful of hippyish women mooching around looking a bit spaced out!. I don't think they were there for the birds :) There was the most surreal huge lake covered in lilypads, an amazing sight. And we saw a marsh harrier and a bittern. I'm getting off the subject here. It'd be quite a trek for you but if you ever get the chance to go, it's definitely got an ancient squishy vegetationy vibe, I thoroughly recommend. An evocative piece of writing Rhiannon, I have never been but have just been reading up on it ... https://avalonmarshes.org/explore/nature-reserves/shapwick-heath/ I see orchids are found there too. Recently bought Jon Dunn's 'Orchid Summer' for Friend so may suggest a day trip. Saw a wonderful spring/well near Clonmel on trip to the Burren last month. Called St Patrick's Well with all sorts of early christian and pre-christian folk lore attached to it. Quite astonishing as the water was naturally carbonated - never actually seen that before. http://www.megalithicireland.com/St%20Patrick's%20Holy%20Well,%20Clonmel,%20Tipperary.html
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Rhiannon 5291 posts |
Jun 30, 2018, 08:56
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That looks excellent. Large and neat compared to most little holy wells! But still with an air of calmness. I do hope we can get over to Ireland later this summer, so if it's to be the Burren (which would be good) then that looks like an interesting stop, thank you.
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