Seahenge

Seahenge is a Discovered in 1998, exposed by winter storms on the Bay The Wash archaeological site on the coast of the English county of Norfolk. The term is commonly used and also for tourist purposes, the official name is Holme I, after the nearby village Holme- next-the -Sea. The remains of a hill just east adjacent tomb bear the name Holme II

History

The facility was built in the early Bronze Age, but was used as evidenced by pottery shards found there in the middle and late Bronze Age. It consists of 55 circularly arranged small split oak trunks and an upside down large oak stump in the middle of the circle. The central oak was dendrochronology to 2050 BC dated, the tribes of the outer ring on spring 2049 BC Since the plant is reminiscent of the world-famous Stonehenge was led by archaeologists as Holme I, Appendix striking baptized " Seahenge ". This designation is strictly speaking a misnomer, as it is I not a Henge, so to a limited with a rampart and a ditch earthwork, but rather a Timber Circle at Holme.

At the time of its establishment was located at this point in front of the sea, protected by dunes marshes. Was triggered by climate changes this increasingly humid and began to vermooren. The deposition of plant residues such as bins or alder plants eventually led to coverage by a layer of peat, which largely prevented the further deterioration of the wood. Finally, the area was covered by the inland migrating dunes. After these had moved inland, the protective sand and below the peat layer were successively eroded by tides and storms, until finally even came back the plant to light.

Purposes for which the plant served exactly is unknown and subject to speculation. To assume is used for cultural or religious, perhaps for astronomical purposes. The Conspicuous this system is shown by the inserted upside central stump. Such inverted, ie inverted structures are in similar contexts common for the exceptional over the ordinary. An originally suspected importance of the stump with its roots as upwardly from the underworld outstanding object or its use for the Dekarnation important people appear less likely.

Discovery and fate

Holme I was discovered in early 1998 by a resident named John Lorimer, who had immediately north thereof found a Bronze Age ax and suspected that looking out from the sand wooden stumps could also date from this period. This was confirmed in September of the same year by the summoned archaeologists from Norfolk Landscape Archaeology, which could also carry out initial investigations immediately.

Within a short time the decision was made to excavate the remains still exist. These two aspects played a role. For one, the pieces of wood, deprived of their hitherto protected Torfbedeckung, external influences such as the salty water, changing the water and heat by tides or damage were exposed by about piddock that would have led sooner or later to their destruction. On the other hand we saw the danger of an emerging tourism, which was not considered in an area that falls as a protected wetland and Site of Special Scientific Interest under the Ramsar Convention, as with conservation compatible. Although residents of Holme- next-the -Sea had used up front for the whereabouts of the plant, archaeologists began the Norfolk Archaeological Unit, with financial support from English Heritage in May 1999 with the excavation work. To a delay occurred when an existing group of environmentalists and druids in June of the same year, ultimately unsuccessfully, tried to prevent the removal of the central oak stump.

The strains were treated for a time in the archaeological center of Flag Fen, to counteract the further decay. After a lengthy discussion about the future fate of the artifacts, while also the suggestion arose to use them at the scene after appropriate treatment again, this came 2003 on the Mary Rose Trust to Portsmouth for the final preservation. This work has now been completed. As a final Bewahrungsort the some thirty kilometers from the locality King's Lynn has been set. Housed in a former church Lynn Museum was rebuilt at the moment. After re-opening in April 2008 is there a part of the pieces found can be visited. On the original site no longer remains are visible.

Holme II

In early 2001 another, slightly larger ring-like structure was discovered about 100 meters to the east, which also consists of a concentric circle of wooden poles, but in the middle has two wooden beams lying. It is the remains of a hill tomb. With an estimated development period 2400-2030 BC, she is older than Holme I. There is but suggests that both systems were used in parallel for a period of time and that may be the existing hill there grave the trigger for the choice of location of cult site.

Holme II was examined superficially, but excavations did not take place. The system is therefore still present on the spot. In the update of the North Norfolk Shoreline Management Plan is recommended to take protective measures, as is usually expected with the destruction of the remains.

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