Dartmoor (G-B) :tomb treasure horde uncovered by archaeologists

PART.2

The princess was of incredibly high social standing, as evidenced by the high position of her final resting place 600 metres above sea level on the northern moors, which would have been visible to nearby settlements and the valuable items that were buried with her.

Archaeologists first stumbled across the chamber a decade ago when a stone fell out of the peat hag which had been concealing it – far from other known prehistoric sites.

'The find fills in the blanks of the local map in terms of Bronze Age settlements, as before there was little evidence of inhabitation, so there must be a settlement nearby,' one local expert told MailOnline.

'There's much more to discover in the area,' he said.

A delicate woven bracelet with tin studs (pictured) was also unearthed. A total of 35 tin studs were held in place by a band of woven cow hair (although 32 remain). While the metal has oxidized, it would have been shiny in appearance

The ancient burial chamber (pictured) was deliberately positioned high upon a hill to show the princess' high status, experts said. They expect to find a settlement nearby
A carefully-prepared animal pelt was folded around the cremated remains of the individual as well as what is thought to be a skilfully-made decorative sash or belt, composed of textile and leather with a fringe of outward pointing leather triangles made from thin calf skin, experts said.

But the discovery of beads made of tin got archaeologists particularly excited because they are the earliest evidence of tin production found in the South West.

Over 200 beads were plucked from and around the basket and some are made from amber.

The precious material from the Baltic was associated with supernatural powers and used as an amulet, which therefore suggests a very high status burial as well as demonstrating that Bronze Age Britons traded with people from the continent.

A delicate woven bracelet with tin studs was also unearthed. A total of 35 tin studs are held in place by a band of woven cow hair. While the metal has oxidized, it would have been shiny in appearance.

‘The use of tin for decorative objects is exceptionally rare within prehistoric burial contexts in Britain and despite tin being a locally available resource on Dartmoor, this is the first time it has been found within a prehistoric archaeological context,’ local experts said.

In the forthcoming programme, TV presenter Mike Dilger will examine Dartmoor’s place as an area of prehistoric importance, shed more light on the person to whom the preserved possessions once belonged and will also try and re-create the delicate tin bracelet and ear studs with the help of craftspeople.

The artefacts from Whitehorse Hill will go on display at Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery in September.

Over 200 beads were plucked from and around the basket and some are made from amber, demonstrating international trade as the precious material comes from the Baltic. The grey beads are made from shale and the centre bead from tin - another precious material showing the wearer was of high social status

Here, a model wears modern replicas of what the prehistoric jewellery is thought to have looked like. The use of tin for decorative objects is exceptionally rare within prehistoric burial contexts in Britain and has not been discovered before

WHAT WAS BRONZE AGE DARTMOOR LIKE 4,000 YEARS AGO?

Bronze Age Britons were skilled at making tin and might have traded it with other far flung communities.

They used to create elaborate jewellery, such as the delicate bracelet that was found.

Other materials found at the site - including amber beads - show that people traded internationally.

A stone flint also discovered, showed that while people used bronze tools, there were also still using earlier tools, which again, would probably have been traded.

High status individuals were revered and were buried in elaborate burial chambers with precious possessions.

It is not known how many people the princess would have ruled over but Dartmoor was well inhabited 4,000 years ago.

The remains of 5,000 hut circles - Bronze Age houses have been discovered so far that had conical thatched roofs. 

Archaeologists have previously found small clusters of these houses in fenced enclosures that would have protected people from animals.

People at the time had advanced cultural and religious beliefs.

High status people also took care with their appearance and wore carefully crafted clothes and jewellery from fur pelts to tin beaded bracelets.