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ONLINE LECTURE – Building a new chronology for the Mount Pleasant mega-henge by Susan Greaney

Dr Susan Greaney, Senior Properties Historian, English Heritage

Located just to the east of Dorchester in Dorset, the enormous and elaborate henge of Mount Pleasant was excavated in 1970-1 by Geoffrey Wainwright. Until recently, our understanding of the site has been based on these excavations and the dating that was available at the time.

Now, a new research project has obtained radiocarbon dates from samples of antler picks, charcoal and human remains held in the Dorset County Museum collection and has been able to build a brand new chronology for the monument. The henge and its various components – a palisaded (fenced) enclosure, a concentric timber monument and the great mound of Conquer Barrow – can all now be placed in the latest Neolithic, a time of great change in southern Britain. This talk will discuss the results of the research project, and explore the implications for our understanding of the Dorchester area in the Neolithic period.

Organised jointly with the Dorset Museum (Dorset Natural History and Archaeology Society).

Image: © Historic England Archive

What lies beneath Max Gate?

Live stream of discussion about excavations at Thomas Hardy's former home.

July 28, 2022 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

About this Event

Speakers: National Trust archaeologist Martin Papworth; Hardy’s Wessex curator Harriet Still and Wiltshire Museum director David Dawson.

In 1884, the writer Thomas Hardy unwittingly built his house Max Gate (near Dorchester) in the centre of a late Neolithic enclosure, now known as Flagstones. During the foundation excavations, he revealed a sarsen stone and various Romano-British clasps and bowls, as well as human remains.

Now, 138 years later, Martin Papworth returns to the same site to see what else this fascinating and ancient site can reveal to us.

Brought to you by Wessex Museums in partnership with National Trust and HengeFest.

 

Book now using this link!

  • 11th March 2021
  • 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
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