The Prehistory of the Isle of Wight

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The Prehistory of the Isle of Wight The Prehistory of the Isle of Wight A weekend study tour by the Prehistoric Society led by Dr David Tomalin & Dr Mike Allen Friday 19th–Sunday 21st June 2009 Prices £230 (member), £260 (non-member) As well as being a beautiful and relaxing place to visit, the Isle of Wight boasts a considerable number of prehistoric sites scattered all across the island in a variety of topographical and geological locations.Visually the most obvious are the many Bronze Age barrows that sit along the prominant chalk ridge forming the east–west spine of the Island but there are Mesolithic and Neolithic sites, including intertidal ones, and important environmental sequences. The Iron Age is currently poorly represented, certainly in terms of earthwork sites. The tour will spend one day exploring the east of the island and a second in the west. There will be a few steep hills to climb and some breathtaking scenery to explore. We hope to undertake some on site research. The price will include two nights bed & breakfast at Calverts Hotel, Newport (limited number of single rooms available with no supplement: first come first served), all meals, transport, ferry crossings (Lymington- Yarmouth) and entry to all sites. Please note: mile for mile the IOW ferry is the most expensive in the world. Ferry crossings will be by minibus and the price has been negotiated.We regret that there can be no reduction for taking your own vehicle and all transport on the island must be on the minibuses — no following cars. Weekend parking is available at Lymington Ferry Port. Outline itinerary (to be confirmed: it may not be possible to visit all sites listed in time available) Friday 19th Please arrive in Lymington in time for the 16.45 ferry (subject to timetable) Introduction: by Ruth Waller, Co. Archaeological Officer, IOW, followed by dinner at Calverts Saturday 20th: the eastern island Redcliff and Limpet Run (environmental sequences, Neo-BA settlement, RB saltworking sites) Michael Morey’s Tump (elaborate BA barrow with interesting folklore connections) Arreton Down and Eaglehead Copse (BA barrow cemeteries and site of BA metal hoard) Wootton-Quarr (intertidal Mesolithic–BA sites including submerged forest) Sunday 21st: the western island Gatcombe Withy Beds (important environmental sequences, Neo-BA landscape & flint scatters) Chillicombe Down (the island’s only IA hillfort) Mottistone Long Stone & Brook Down (Neo monument, standing stone & BA barrow cemeteries) Tennyson Down (Neolithic mortuary enclosure, BA barrow cemeteries) Afton Down (Neolithic long barrow) Return ferry: 16.30 (subject to timetable) Please book me ....... places at £230; ........ places at £260 for Isle of Wight 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 ....................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................... Special dietry requirements? ............................................................... Share twin room? Y/N double required Y/N Please return with remittance to Tessa Machling, Prehistoric Society, c/o Institute of Archaeology, 31-34 Gordon Sq, London WC1H OPY by MONDAY 15 DECEMBER 2008.
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