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Carn Brea, Redruth

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Carn Brea Castle

Carn Brea (Cornish: Karnbre) is a civil parish and hilltop site near Redruth in Cornwall, England, UK, famous for its long history of human occupation.

Neolithic settlement

The earliest Neolithic settlement at Carn Brea was a tor enclosure occupied between around 3700 and 3400 BC. A two acre (8,000 m²) inner enclosure was surrounded by a larger eleven acre (45,000 m²) one. The ramparts consisted of stone walls with an earth bank and ditch. Traces of fourteen platforms on which would have stood Neolithic long houses have been found by archaeologists within its ramparts along with pottery and flint artifacts.[1]

The site was excavated between 1970[2] and 1973[1] by Roger Mercer. A population of 100 to 150 people has been suggested. There is evidence that the occupants cleared the surroundings by burning away the undergrowth and removing stones to use the land for farming. The acid soils of the area precluded the preservation of any environmental evidence which would have provided more information on this aspect. Nearby outcrops of rock suitable for manufacture as axes would have contributed to the village's economy. Edge grinding stones, blanks and incomplete and finished axes found on the site indicate that the inhabitants were accomplished stoneworkers and traded their products to others. That the pottery found on the site appears to have come from a production centre almost 20 miles (30 km) to south in the present day parish of St Keverne further supports a complex economic network in the area.[citation needed]

The seven hundred flint arrowheads found scattered at the site suggest that Carn Brea may have been attacked at least once.[1] Every timber structure on the site had been burnt, the charcoal being the only organic matter that survived the acid soils. The earthworks themselves may also have been deliberately damaged by an invading power.

Iron Age settlement

In the Iron Age the site was re-occupied and minerals were mined from the hillside. A hoard of Kentish gold staters found in the eighteenth century suggests trade links with the other side of the country at this time.[citation needed] The Ravenna Cosmography, of around 700AD, makes reference to Purocoronavis, (almost certainly a corruption of Durocornovium), 'a fort or walled settlement of the Cornovii', (unidentified, but possibly Tintagel or Carn Brea).

Landmarks

Basset Monument on Carn Brea
Carn Brea Castle
The medieval Carn Brea Castle stands near the top of the hill. This was a 14th century chapel rebuilt in the 18th century by the Basset family as a hunting lodge. In the 1980s the abandoned building was converted into a restaurant.
The stolen Ford Anglia featured in the Harry Potter films was found at the Castle in 2006.[3]
Monument
At the highest point of the hill there is a 90 foot high (30m) celtic cross. This is a monument to Francis Lord de Dunstanville and Basset (b.1757, d.1835) erected by Cornwall County Council in 1836.[4]
Cup and Saucer Rock on Carn Brea
Cup and Saucer Rock
This large flat rock is perched next to the Monument showing several deep basins (see Photograph). This rock has also been called The Sacrificing Rock (though with doubtful historical accuracy).[5]
Smuggler's Tunnel
In a depression between the Monument and the Castle is the remains of the Smuggler's Tunnel blocked by the Council in the 1980s with rocks to stop children from entering. This tunnel is rumored to travel from the top of the Carn down into Redruth town.[citation needed]
Saint Euny's Well
This well can be found at the foot of Carn Brea below the Castle and near St. Euny's Church. It has a plaque by Carn Brea Parish Trails reading "St. Euny Well. Holy well of St. Euny visited by the Celtic Missionary 500AD". Stories about the sacred use of this well may be confused with St. Euny's Well at Sancred (see Carn Euny).

Events

Midsummer Eve
The Midsummer Eve (St. John's Eve, 23 June) bonfire ceremony dates from a pagan ritual. Prayers are read in Cornish and the bonfire is lit, signaling other fires to be lit at Sennen, Sancreed Beacon, Carn Galver to the Tamar. When only the embers remain, young people leap across them to drive away evil and bring luck.[6]
Boxing Day
The Boxing Day meet of the Four Burrow Hunt starts at the top of Carn Brea.[7][8] Due to the changes in fox hunting legislation foxes are no longer hunted.

See also

Footnotes

  1. ^ a b c Mercer, R.J. (1972). "The Excavation of the Neolithic Settlement, Carn Brea". Cornish Archaeology. 11. Cornwall Archaeological Society. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  2. ^ Mercer, R.J. (1970). "The Neolithic Settlement on Carn Brea: Preliminary Report". Cornish Archaeology. 9. Cornwall Archaeological Society: pp54-62. {{cite journal}}: |pages= has extra text (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  3. ^ "The Scotsman: Harry Potter's stolen car appears at castle". The Scotsman Publications Ltd. 19 May 2006. Retrieved 2006-10-30. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  4. ^ As shown by the stone inscription on the south of the monument. See inscription text on Basset Cross photograph
  5. ^ Curran, Bob (2005). Celtic Lore & Legend: Meet the Gods, Heroes, Kings, Fairies, Monsters And Ghosts Of Yore. New Page Books. pp. p36. ISBN 1-56414-786-X. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  6. ^ Noall, Cyril (1963). The Cornish Midsummer Eve Bonfire Celebrations. Federation of Old Cornwall Societies. pp. 11 pages. ASIN B0000CLTVN. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  7. ^ "Bridgewater Mercury: This could be the last time". Newsquest Media Group. 3 January 2003. Retrieved 2006-10-30. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  8. ^ "Smallholder: Ban? What Ban?". Newsquest Media Group. 28 December 2005. Retrieved 2006-10-30. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

References

  • Acton, B. (1996). Exploring Cornwall’s Tramway Trails, Vol. 1, The Great Flat Lode Trail with Carn Brea and Carn Marth. Landfall Publications. ISBN 1-873443-41-2. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)


50°13′18″N 5°14′48″W / 50.22179°N 5.24673°W / 50.22179; -5.24673

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