Crow Down Hoard, Lambourn

English Heritage summaries 2004/2005

Following the discovery of five gold alloy objects during a metal detecting rally on the Lambourn Downs, Oxford Archaeology carried out an archaeological investigation in November 2004 in order to assess the provenance and context of the hoard.  Two twisted arm or neck ornaments and three plain penannular bracelets had been found, which were identified by Gillian Varndell of the British Museum as of the later middle Bronze Age (c 1300-1100 BC).

A survey of air photographs failed to reveal any cropmarks in the area of the hoard’s discovery.  Geophysical survey of one hectare around the findspot produced some weak anomalies, including possible linear features that are rather irregular and incomplete, and some pit-like features.  Excavation over two of these possible pits failed to locate corresponding sub-soil features.

Excavation of an area 5 m x 5 m centred on the findspot revealed the shallow pit in which the hoard had been buried.  A small amount of the original fill had survived the hoard’s removal.  Two small circular features were exposed to the south-east of the hoard pit, one of which was examined and revealed to be a posthole with a post-insertion ramp on one side.  No artefacts or environmental remains were present in either the hoard pit or the posthole.  It was not possible to extend the trench, and so it is not known whether these features represent part of a structure or isolated posts, nor whether they are contemporary with the hoard.  Two-hundred-and-twenty-eight flints, mainly of middle or late Bronze Age date, were recovered during sieving of the ploughsoil above these features.

This page was published on 09/09/2005