Excavation Unveils Secrets of Cornwall’s Ancient Neolithic Site

Work has commenced on an archaeological excavation aimed at uncovering the mysteries of a prehistoric ritual site in Cornwall. Known as Castilly Henge, this site is considered the county’s “ancient sacred heart” and is believed to date back to the late Neolithic period, approximately 3,000 to 2,500 BCE. The excavation is supported by more than £40,000 in funding from the National Lottery, awarded to the Cornwall Heritage Trust (CHT).

Located near Bodmin, just off the A30, Castilly Henge features a significant oval embankment that likely served as an amphitheatre for gatherings and ritualistic activities. The site’s importance persisted into the Early Bronze Age, around 2,400 to 1,500 BCE, when several high-status burial mounds, also known as barrows, were established nearby.

Excavation Objectives and Historical Context

According to Carolyn Kennett, CHT’s site project manager, the rarity of Neolithic henges makes this excavation particularly significant. “Neolithic henges are incredibly rare, so this is a really exciting moment,” she noted. The four-week excavation is a collaborative effort involving the CHT, Cornwall Archaeological Society, and Historic England, aimed at exploring the monument’s rich history.

Previous research has suggested that Castilly Henge may have also served various purposes throughout history, including as a medieval open-air theatre, known as a plen-an-gwari, and as a fortified location during the English Civil War. In 2022, potential traces of a long-lost stone circle were discovered at the site, with only one other similar example known to exist in Cornwall.

Future Plans and Community Engagement

The excavation team is hopeful that they can preserve the henge, which is at risk from invasive vegetation and nearby road infrastructure. “Our goal is to fundraise to purchase this site and to open it up to the public,” Kennett stated, adding that more than £10,000 of an overall £50,000 target has already been raised.

In a statement emphasizing the site’s historical significance, Dr. Olaf Bayer, senior archaeological investigator for Historic England, described the henge as providing a “direct visceral connection” to our ancestors. He expressed the profound experience of discovering ancient tools, saying, “To discover and hold in your own hands the very tools people of the past had used – it’s the kind of stuff that makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck.”

As the excavation progresses, the CHT and its partners aim to uncover more about the rituals and practices of the people who once gathered at this ancient site, fostering a deeper appreciation for Cornwall’s rich archaeological heritage.