Join us for this exciting event, which will discuss and explore the excavations at Thomas Hardy’s former home.
Speakers: National Trust archaeologist Martin Papworth; Hardy’s Wessex curator Harriet Still and Wiltshire Museum director David Dawson.
In 1884, the writer Thomas Hardy unwittingly built his house Max Gate (near Dorchester) in the centre of a late Neolithic enclosure, now known as Flagstones. During the foundation excavations, he revealed a sarsen stone and various Romano-British clasps and bowls, as well as human remains.
Now, 138 years later, Martin Papworth returns to the same site to see what else this fascinating and ancient site can reveal to us.
The talk is part of Home of Hillforts & Henges. This exciting new event from 21st to 31st July celebrates Dorchester’s neolithic, bronze and iron age landscape, rich in earthworks and the people that have lived here for over 6,000 years. It is being staged as part of the National CBA Festival of Archaeology 2022 and activities will take place at multiple locations across the town.
Males great bustards perform spectacular courtship displays, gathering at a ‘lek’ or small display ground to try to impress the females.
The great bustard has a dignified slow walk but tends to run when disturbed, rather than fly.
The hen-bird on display at The Salisbury Museum was one of the last great bustards to be eaten in the town!