Saturday, February 17, 2024

Wittenham Clumps artefacts on display for the first time

By Katie Waple
BBC News
Earth Trust CentreArchaeologists Ginny and Ben with a type of nozzle called a tuyere that was found

Artefacts from a 2,700-year-old Iron Age settlement are going on display this weekend.

The exhibition at the Earth Trust Centre, Little Wittenham, explores the hidden history of Wittenham Clumps in Oxfordshire.

The Festival of Discovery includes 15,000 artefacts, including all the components of a blacksmith's workshop.

Jayne Manley, at Earth Trust, said: "It's our time now to share and bring this knowledge to life."

DigVenturesExcavation work began at the site in 2018

Archaeologists from DigVentures carried out the excavation between 2018 and 2020.

Radiocarbon dating revealed the smithy dated from 771-515 BC, soon after ironworking first arrived in Britain around 800 BC.


The team found the blacksmith's building, internal structures, hearth lining, a type of nozzle called a tuyere, and even tiny bits of metal that flew off when a hammer was used.

Nat Jackson, DigVentures site director, led the excavation and said: "It's always exciting to uncover the remains of ancient buildings that were occupied thousands of years ago."

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