We’ve another reminder for you this month of just how the CARD Fund can help your UK-based community archaeology project.
After running for eight years, the Community Archaeology Radiocarbon Dating (CARD) Fund has provided a total of 85 radiocarbon measurements to date. These included dates for a project at Kentstone Hill in Northumberland, which uncovered a cist with a small amount of cremated human bone within it in 2022.
We’re thrilled to learn that radiocarbon dating of the human bone from the cist produced an early Bronze Age date of 2338-2137 cal BC. It should be noted that in some instances so called ‘old wood effect’ could increase the chronological age of the calcined bone, as radiocarbon dating cremated bones may potentially be dating the wood used for the cremation fire not necessarily just the individual.
However, it does seem to indicate the cremation appears to predate other recently dated Beaker period cist burials at Wooler and the central burial from the recently excavated ring ditch at Ponteland, also in Northumberland, but is later than the earliest cists at Low Hauxley. This gives us some fascinating insight into the Kentstone site, which is close to the coast, and its place within the context of the area’s archaeology.
One of the team, Roger Miket, has said this about the help the CARD Fund has provided:
“The costs of excavation and post-excavation work at Kentstone was estimated, underwritten and in place before work began at the site. Making a decision to excavate is at the same time intent to inflict purposeful damage to some unique historical document, and one certainly irresponsible to embark upon without having first secured all that post excavation might require. Failure to attend to this most necessary aspect of many an excavation has left much debris in its wake over the years and is an obligation which distinguishes the reputable archaeological society from the irresponsible.
It was through the generosity of the CARD Fund that support was obtained for this crucial and important part of the post-excavation work, allowing us to date what is clearly a very good early cist burial at Kentstone. We could not be more delighted and we can’t thank them enough for their support!”
Interested in help from the Fund? Applications are open for 2023, with a deadline of 30 November. Further details, including how to apply, can be found at www.cardfund.org.