The Prehistory of Mendip
A weekend study tour by the Prehistoric Society led by Dr Jodie Lewis (Worcester University) Friday 15th–Sunday 17th August 2008 £120
In a new experiment for the Prehistoric Society we offer a ‘budget’ field study tour of the Prehistory of the Mendip Hills. There will be nothing ‘budget’ about the archaeology but the tour will be based at Bath Youth Hostel. The building is described as ‘a beautiful Italianate mansion in its own gardens’ and has just undergone extensive refurbishment (http://www.yha.org.uk/find-accommodation/south-west-england/hostels/Bath/ index.aspx). It is situated on the edge of the city about 1½ miles from the train/bus stations. Details of buses will be provided and we will arrange timed pick-ups from the railway station.
The price will include two nights bed and breakfast in 3-star dormitory accommodation, transport and entry to all sites and packed lunches. Evening meals are not included but there are hundreds of eateries in Bath to suit every budget and there is plenty of nightlife as well as a beautiful city to explore in the evenings.
The Mendip Hills boast a huge variety of archaeological sites including, probably most famously, the Cheddar Caves with their Palaeolithic and Mesolithic content, as well as henges, long barrows, exptensive barrow cemeteries, Iron Age hillforts and much more. The tour will be led by Dr Jodie Lewis, a leading expert on the archaeology of Mendip who is currently conducting a programme of fieldwork at Priddy Circles henges and other sites in the area.
Outline itinerary (to be confirmed: it may not be possible to visit all sites listed in time available) Friday 15th Please aim to arrive in Bath between 17.00 and 18.30 Evening activity to be confirmed
Saturday 16th am Palaeolithic caves of Cheddar Gorge Mesolithic cave cemetery Aveline’s Hole Burrington Ham Iron Age enclosure
Saturday pm Beacon Batch Bronze Age round barrows Dolebury Warren Iron Age hillfort
Sunday 17th am Gorsey Bigbury Neolithic henge Priddy Circles henges Priddy Nine Barrows/Ashen Hill Bronze Age round barrows
Sunday pm Pen Hill Neolithic Neolithic long mounds Stoney Littleton Neolithic long barrow return to Bath c. 17.00
Please book me ...... places at £120 for Mendip Study Tour My cheque for ...... enclosed (full payment please) (made payable to The Prehistoric Society)* * The Prehistoric society is a registered charity No. 1000567
Name: ...... Email ...... Phone: ......
Address ......
......
Please return with remittance to Tessa Machling, Prehistoric Society, c/o Institute of Archaeology, 31-34 Gordon Sq, London WC1H OPY by FRIDAY 30 MAY 2008