Cornwall Heritage Trust volunteers helped uncover archaeological finds thought to date back over 120 years, as part of a day of conservation and restoration work taking place at Sancreed Beacon last weekend.
One of twelve historic sites protected by Cornwall Heritage Trust, Sancreed Beacon is a beautiful stretch of natural moorland located near Penzance. Part of the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and West Penwith International Dark Sky Park, it is a designated County Wildlife Site and is shortly to become a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
It is home to a wide variety of flora, fauna and historic remains as well as four rare Dartmoor ponies, who help the Trust with the management of the bracken through their grazing. The conservation day involved the practical clearance of debris in an area of the Beacon that has historically been used as a midden or refuse site. As a result of the work, a significant number of interesting historic artefacts were uncovered, some of which date back to the Victorian period.
One of the oldest finds of the day was an Elliman’s Embrocation bottle, which is thought to date from around c.1880 to 1900. The bottle would have originally housed a medicine made of eggs, turpentine and vinegar that was said to help with aching muscles and joints.
Volunteers therefore also supported the Trust’s archaeological team in processing and recording these finds in order to help the charity learn more about activity at Sancreed over the years.
Whether it’s conserving our sites, leading guided walks, helping at events or conducting heritage research, there are lots of ways to volunteer at Cornwall Heritage Trust. It’s the chance to join a supportive team and make new friends, make a difference to your local heritage, share your knowledge and experience, and learn and develop new skills and interests.
