Curiouser and curiouser - impromptu adventures with ancient sites, tombs and egyptologists.

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Coming back from Cirencester on Friday, while passing Newbury, my colleague pointed out a rather large and striking pyramid-shaped hill, called Beacon Hill. "I should check it out if I got a chance". It has stunning views and "some surprises at the top I will probably like". He knows me well enough to know that was all the encouragement I needed, so yesterday I went off to find it again. The structure is not visible from the motorway, so I was quite surprised when I found this pic this morning, and what else I discovered when I googled it.

[from Wikipedia] Beacon Hill Archaeology

The hill fort on the top of the hill has never been systematically excavated, but the land and ditch are sharply defined and well preserved. The Beacon Hill camp, built around 1000 BCE, was probably inhabited by around 2–3000 people according to calculations from similar camps. It is one of a number of hillforts, which are strung out along the north-facing scarp of the Hampshire Downs, overlooking the Kennet valley to the north. When originally built, these structures must have looked spectacular even from a distance as their white chalk ramparts caught the sun. Within the ramparts of the fort numerous hut circles occur, some of which can be seen by the casual visitor. The south-facing entrance is still well defined and a track would have lead southwards towards an area of fields which are still apparent at the far end of the hill. Aerial photographs show considerable evidence of ancient field patterns throughout much of the surrounding countryside. On the west side of Sidown Hill (immediately to the west of Beacon Hill) there is an area of well defined field terracing.

The tomb of the famous Egyptologist, George Herbert, 5th Earl of Carnarvon lies within the fortifications.
It is also where Sir Geoffrey de Havilland made his first successful test flight on 10 September 1910, commemorated by a memorial stone situated in the Seven Barrows field to the south of Beacon Hill.

The walk to the top was not too steep and boasts some truly stunning views of Hampshire. I was rather gutted my camera and I were not in the same location. After the walk to the top, and admiring the stunning views, I saw a large fence structure surrounding a very plain looking stone box. Curiouser and curiouser thought I. So here it was, the grave of the Earl of Carnarvon, exploration partner of Howard Carter. (Born at Highclere Castle, a short distance from where he was buried.) Knowing not very much about the man I decided to take another look. To avoid spamming you I have placed some interesting links here;

The life of Lord Carnarvon - TourEgypt.com

Lord Carnarvon - Wikipedia.com

Now that I know more I think I will be going back today, with camera and more knowledge about the man and where he is buried.