Journal
Copt Howe artefacts feature in major exhibition at Wordsworth House, Cockermouth
Today I visited Wordsworth House in Cockermouth, the venue for a major exhibition featuring artefacts from an excavation I co-directed in 2018.
Excavating at Copt Howe day 11: The end of the excavations
In the midst of a heatwave we backfill the two remaining trenches.
Excavating at Copt Howe day 10: The last day of excavation
It is our final day of excavation and various tasks have to be completed before the trenches can be filled. Stan Beckensall visits.
Excavating at Copt Howe day 9: Recording and replicating
Work continues towards the conclusion of the excavation in a couple of days time.
Excavations at Copt Howe day 8: Flat slabs in Trench 3
Trenches 1 and 3 take centre stage with new motifs and stone deposits.
Excavations at Copt Howe day 7: Light and shadow
Today, the site is visited by a specialist to assess its potential for Optically-Stimulated Luminescence dating. On the theme of light, I also make some observations about the qualities of tree shadows on this sunny day.
Excavations at Copt Howe day 6: Were these tools used to make the rock art?
On the sixth day day there are significant developments in Trench 1, with more rock art being revealed and the discovery of some very distinctive artefacts which may have been used to carve the motifs.
Excavating at Copt Howe day 5: Structured deposition in Trench 1
Trench 1 begins to reveal some exciting features.
Excavations at Copt Howe day 4: Making progress
On the fourth day of the project we continue work on all the active trenches.
Excavations at Copt Howe day 3: Carvings are discovered
The plan today is to open three new trenches to investigate the boulders which display carvings.
Excavations at Copt Howe day 2: The first trench is complete
Day two of the project has dawned overcast but dry. We continue work investigating the mound to see if there is any evidence for it having been constructed.
Excavations at Copt Howe day 1: The project begins
The first day of excavations to investigate the remarkable Neolithic carvings at Copt Howe, in the Lake District.
The standing stones of Nethermost Pike
Today, I visited a group of intriguing rock features on the Helvellyn range in the central Lake District. This remote plateau is around 880m (2880 feet) above the sea, and was in the grip of winter.
A walk to the summit of Fairfield: Clouds and Neolithic stones on a Lake District mountain
A walk in the central Lake District, featuring a dynamic cloud formation and Neolithic worked stone.