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Excavation at Iron Age cemetery, Harlyn Bay, St Merryn, Cornwall. 1977
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Excavation at Iron Age cemetery, Harlyn Bay, St Merryn, Cornwall. 1977
View of a trench behind the old museum at Harlyn Bay. The Iron Age cemetery in Harlyn Bay was excavated between 1900 and 1906. When digging foundations for a new house to be built, Mr Reddie Mallett had made an important archaeological discovery by finding a cist containing human remains. Excavations over the next 6 years found Harlyn Bay to be the largest Iron Age burial site in Cornwall. Bronze Age barrows had been discovered in 1864, on the west side of the bay, near the cliff edge, by a labourer digging a pond on land owned by Mr Hellyar. The museum was closed in the 1970s and most of the artefacts transferred to the Royal Cornwall Museum. Photographer: Charles Woolf
Royal Cornwall Museum is the UK's Greatest Museum For Cornish Life & Culture
TRURI : AMERm.1b
Media ID 19584187
© RIC, photographer Charles Woolf
Archaeology Greenham History Joyce Burials Graves
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This print captures a significant moment in the excavation of an Iron Age cemetery at Harlyn Bay, St Merryn, Cornwall. Taken in 1977, it showcases a trench located behind the old museum at Harlyn Bay. The archaeological site had been initially discovered between 1900 and 1906 by Mr Reddie Mallett while digging foundations for a new house. Mr Mallett's accidental discovery of a cist containing human remains marked the beginning of six years of extensive excavations that revealed Harlyn Bay to be the largest Iron Age burial site in Cornwall. This finding added to previous discoveries made in 1864 when Bronze Age barrows were unearthed on the west side of the bay near the cliff edge. The museum depicted in this image was once home to numerous artifacts from these remarkable archaeological digs. However, it closed its doors during the 1970s, leading most of its precious findings to be transferred to the Royal Cornwall Museum. Through this photograph taken by Charles Woolf, we are transported back in time and given a glimpse into history as we witness archaeologists unearthing ancient burials and gravesites. It serves as a reminder of our rich Cornish heritage and highlights how chance discoveries can lead us down unexpected paths towards uncovering fascinating stories from our past.
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