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Dartmoor tomb treasure hoard uncovered by archaeologists | |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Archaeologists from around the UK have been examining a hoard of treasures unearthed in a 4,000-year-old tomb on Dartmoor. | |
Prehistoric jewellery, animal pelts and beads made of amber were among the finds about two years ago in the burial chamber. | Prehistoric jewellery, animal pelts and beads made of amber were among the finds about two years ago in the burial chamber. |
The chamber, known as a cist, was found on Whitehorse Hill, near Chagford. | The chamber, known as a cist, was found on Whitehorse Hill, near Chagford. |
Dartmoor National Park archaeologists have called it the most important ancient find on the moor. | Dartmoor National Park archaeologists have called it the most important ancient find on the moor. |
When they levered off the chamber's lid they discovered an intact burial of cremated remains. | When they levered off the chamber's lid they discovered an intact burial of cremated remains. |
It was wrapped in an animal pelt, containing a delicate bracelet studded with tin beads, a textile fragment with detailed leather fringing and a unique coiled bag. | It was wrapped in an animal pelt, containing a delicate bracelet studded with tin beads, a textile fragment with detailed leather fringing and a unique coiled bag. |
Jane Marchand, Dartmoor National Park's chief archaeologist, said: "Visibly it's not as impressive as Stonehenge, but archaeologically it's just as important. | Jane Marchand, Dartmoor National Park's chief archaeologist, said: "Visibly it's not as impressive as Stonehenge, but archaeologically it's just as important. |
"It was incredibly exciting to lift the lid and a bead fell out." | "It was incredibly exciting to lift the lid and a bead fell out." |
At the Wiltshire Conservation Lab, the team had the delicate task of trying to reveal the secrets of the coiled bag containing rare beads. | At the Wiltshire Conservation Lab, the team had the delicate task of trying to reveal the secrets of the coiled bag containing rare beads. |
Just eight beads have been found on Dartmoor in the last 100 years. | Just eight beads have been found on Dartmoor in the last 100 years. |
Helen Williams, a conservator at the lab, said: "The level of preservation we have got is amazing. | Helen Williams, a conservator at the lab, said: "The level of preservation we have got is amazing. |
"We're awaiting DNA results on the pelt so we can identify what animal it might have come from. | "We're awaiting DNA results on the pelt so we can identify what animal it might have come from. |
"Amazing doesn't really do them justice. It's the most extraordinary assortment of finds with tin beads and wooden ear studs." | "Amazing doesn't really do them justice. It's the most extraordinary assortment of finds with tin beads and wooden ear studs." |
Archaeologists say the discovery also points to the earliest evidence of tin found in the South West. | Archaeologists say the discovery also points to the earliest evidence of tin found in the South West. |
Mystery of the Moor, a BBC Inside Out South West programme, is on BBC One on Friday at 19.30 GMT. | Mystery of the Moor, a BBC Inside Out South West programme, is on BBC One on Friday at 19.30 GMT. |
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