Mesolithic deer skull from Star Carr in the Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
Imagine walking your dog one unremarkable morning, close to home. You notice a flint, lying on the ground. It looks unusual and you realise it has been ‘worked’ with its edges chipped away to create a sharp edge.
This random moment led to the discovery of Star Carr, a Stone-age site near Scarborough which has revolutionised what we know about our early ancestors.
The site occupies what was once a lakeside area. Huge amounts of animal remains and flint tools were found close to what seems to have been a human-made wooden platform stretching over the water. A total of 193 tools were found on the site, which accounts for roughly 97% of those ever found in the UK!
Perhaps most amazing were 21 head-dresses, made from skulls and antlers of red deer, smoothed out inside and pierced, thought to be for wearing on the head. Apart from a few in Europe no more have been found… they are very rare. Were they used for ceremonies, or for hunting?
And what about the people themselves, our ancestors? We think of them as small family groups of hunter-gatherers, moving seasonally and not staying in one place. The number of dwellings, the size of the lakeshore platforms and the fact the site was continually occupied for over 900 years around 9000BC turns our thinking upside-down.
This provided rich food for thought at the Archaeology group’s most recent meeting. We meet at the Lincoln Arms, 2.30-4.30pm on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Each month we choose a theme which interests us, and you’d be very welcome to come along.
Our next few meetings include a presentation and discussion on Early Prehistoric Remains on Dartmoor (28 February) and on 28 March our local expert Frank Pemberton will be discussing his theories on that ancient local mystery of where Stane Street runs through Dorking.
On 25 April we’re going out, heading for the famous Chilworth Gunpowder Mills, with lunch beforehand at the excellent Percy Arms.
Contact Peter via peter.horitz@uwclub.net if you’d like to find out more.
Pat Smith