Ancient discoveries

The Scilly Isles have been the scene of many archaeological finds, dating back to the neolithic era. St Mary’s is no exception. On the crest of a hill on the island’s north-west lies a neolithic burial site, Bant’s Carn. On the hill slopes below is Halangy Down iron age village. This continued in use for 500 years, until the end of the Roman period. Bant’s Carn is an entrance grave, named for the narrow opening which leads into a burial chamber 17ft (5.25m) long by 5ft (1.5m) wide. In places, it is 5ft (1.5m) high, roofed with four enormous capstones. On the east coast, at Porth Hellick Down, there is a grouped cemetery of at least another eight entrance graves. These are believed to have been built more than 4,000 years ago during the late neolithic or early bronze age. The structures were mostly excavated in 1902 by Anglo-French archaeologist George Bonsor. He discovered some artefacts, such as pieces of pottery, but recovered no burials, concluding the site had been ransacked.