Excavations at Grimes Graves

Excavating one of the areas of shallower workings in the West Field

Project leader: Gillian Varndell

Department: Prehistory and Europe

Project end date: 2007

Other British Museum staff: Stephen Crummy

External partners: Ian Longworth

Description:

This research project will result in the publication of the final volume in the series covering the British Museum excavations at Grimes Graves from 1972-1976. Grimes Graves, near Brandon, Norfolk was the site of intensive flint mining activity during the later Neolithic and of later occupation during the Bronze Age.

An antler pick abandoned by the Neolithic minersThis volume (Fascicule 6) deals with survey and excavation beyond the area of the deep mines published in Fascicule 5. It sets out to consider what we have learned about the mining activity itself, what was being made from the material extracted, the period of time over which this extends, and the nature of the Bronze Age occupation.

Publications:

I. Longworth and G. Varndell, Excavations at Grimes Graves, Norfolk 1972-1976. Fascicule 5: Mining in the deeper mines, (London, British Museum Press,1996)

Images (from top):

  • Excavating one of the areas of shallower workings in the West Field
  • An antler pick abandoned by the Neolithic miners