One of the largest collections of prehistoric artefacts ever found in Cornwall (England) has been uncovered by Graham Hill and Dave Edwards: two amateur archaeologists from Penzance. The two discovered 4,500 pieces in ploughed fields in the parish of Paul - among them flint arrowheads, greenstone axes and pottery dating back to 3000 BCE.
     English Heritage has announced it will fund the recording of the prehistoric finds, which have been discovered since 2004. With some of the artefacts believed to be as ancient as 5,000 years old, the news that they will be officially catalogued is set to cause a stir among ancient history buffs. "I am very fortunate that in my lifetime the collection is being assessed and properly catalogued," said Mr Hill. "I found the first piece of prehistoric pottery in 2005 and I was obviously pleased. For me what is important is the recording of the objects; once the objects is removed from the field, then the information is lost."
     Cornwall Council's Historic Environment Projects team has been commissioned by English Heritage to record the Clodgy Moor project, named after the area which yielded many of the finds. They will work with the Portable Antiquities Scheme, and the Cornwall Archaeological Society (CAS). In a statement, the team confirmed it was one of the largest collections from the county.
     Archaeologists from the council will work with the CAS to find volunteers to be trained by Anna Lawson-Jones, an historic environment projects lithics specialist, and Anna Tyacke, the Portable Antiquities Scheme finds liaison officer. "The project will enable members of the community to have the opportunity to directly engage with archaeological artefacts and develop hands-on skills, which will include artefact identification, labelling and data-processing," said senior archaeologist Dr Andy Jones.
     Dr Jonathan Last, head of research policy at English Heritage, said the project would provide a great chance to boost its knowledge of the past. "This exciting partnership project will improve our understanding of the 'lithic scatter' evidence from Cornwall - an area where most archaeological sites have been levelled by ploughing," he said. "It will also contribute to our understanding of 'sites without structures' and our ability to protect them."

Edited from This is Cornwall (17 March 2011)