Seahenge returns to Norfolk

A decade ago one of the most exciting archaeological discoveries of recent times, which came to be known as Seahenge, was made on the North Norfolk coast. Within hours of being discovered on Holme next the Sea, the 4,000-year-old upturned oak stump and 55 timbers were declared to be of international importance. Preserved by the peat surrounding them, the timbers hold valuable information on early Bronze Age wood-working and construction methods.

Archaeologists feared the timbers would rapidly deteriorate as they became exposed to the elements and an excavation project was set in place to prevent Seahenge from being lost altogether. Since being excavated in 1999, the timbers have been well travelled. They initially went to the Bronze Age Centre at Flag Fen near Peterborough to be studied after the beach mud and some of the marine salts were removed with fresh water. To finish the conservation programme, Seahenge made its way to Portsmouth where maritime archaeology experts at the Mary Rose Trust. The timbers were then vacuum freeze-dried to remove the last residues of moisture.

Now preserved, Seahenge is back in its home county and was this week opened to the public for the first time with the opening of a £1.2 million redevelopment of Lynn Museum. The Grade II listed former Baptist Chapel now hosts a sympathetic and fascinating display of Seahenge, complete with audio guides available to walk visitors through history. Seahenge, Lynn Museum, King’s Lynn, Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk

For more details please visit seahenge

Tags: flag fen, flagfen, kings lynn, norfolk, peterborough