Archeological Dig To Unravel Rare Undisturbed Bronze Age Burial In Lancashire

Experts uncovered a rare undisturbed Bronze Age burial mound in Lancashire near Morecambe Bay. It was found by metal detectors and is now having an archaeological dig.

The archaeologists said that it served as places of burial and may also have been used for ritual practices. On the other hand, it has been ruined over the course of centuries by human activity such as farming, according to BBC News.

The site is believed to be a Bronze Age barrow, which is a round mound often surrounded by a ditch. These barrows can be found across Britain. They were built between 2,200 BC and 1,100 BC.

Bronze Age Britain is the time of British history from c.2500 until c.800 BC. This lasted for approximately 1,700 years. This Age was marked by the utilization of copper and bronze by the prehistoric Britons. They used those metals to fashion tools. This was also the time when agriculture became well-known.

ICYMI: Broadcast LIVE from our Bronze Age burial mound dig near Morecambe #Lancashire https://t.co/UgoKFX535n pic.twitter.com/JFi89jHzJM

— DigVentures (@TheDigVenturers) July 10, 2016

Crowdfunded dig to uncover rare Bronze Age burial thanks to @TheDigVenturers https://t.co/w4C2sxBpat #archaeology pic.twitter.com/FdR2q9ABwH — Sarah Ward (@SarahWardAU) July 10, 2016

The current excavation is crowd funded by Dig Ventures. Lisa Westcott Wilkins, the co-founder and managing director of Dig Ventures explained that preliminary investigations this includes a geophysics survey had already been conveyed on the mound. The digging is described as the first scientific excavation of a Bronze Age burial mound in the North West in over five decades.

They found a bronze knife and chisel, which are thought to have made their way to the area through natural processes. They were remarkably preserved. The experts then wonder if the mound has an undisturbed burial.

The archaeologists will observe precautions inhibit contamination of any burial. This is to retrieve any ancient DNA. It is also kept secret to prevent stealing of artifacts. The excavation started in July and will be completed until July 17. DigVentures is in partnership with leading experts on Bronze Age archaeology.