Projects Excavations Excavations 2009 Archaeological Recording at Carn Galva and Bosporthennis 2009 Excavations were undertaken by the Cornwall Archaeological Society in Penwith at Carn Galva and Bosporthennis over a two week period in late August and early September 2009. Both sites lie within land owned by the National Trust and this project was undertaken with their help and support. Carn Galva Carn Galva itself is a visually dominant hill crowned by rocky outcrops. It appeared from archaeological survey work undertaken in the 1980s that the summit of the hill had been by walling. The enclosure was thought likely to be of prehistoric date, and had the potential to be similar to Early Neolithic (circa 3900-3700 cal BC) enclosures such as Carn Brea. Trench 1 was opened up on the western side of the hill, where the walling was clearest, and where, it was hoped, occupation material might be uncovered behind the walling. The main aim of the trench was successful, as spread rubble wall was encountered, running along the western edge of what appears to be a terraced area. However, no artefacts were recovered and the trench was largely filled by a second, less substantial wall, which ran down the centre of the trench and abutted the enclosure wall. This second wall could not be dated, although it partially overlay the enclosure wall and is therefore of a later date. Its function is also uncertain. It may have been a partition wall which subdivided the terrace, or part of a boundary that was perhaps aligned onto the rocky hilltop.  Trench 2 was opened up on the summit, in a more sheltered area, and it was hoped that it would contain evidence for occupation. Unfortunately, most of the trench came straight down onto the bedrock and no artefacts or features were recovered. Four unstratified flints were, however, recovered from the path near to this trench which indicates that there was some occupation on the hilltop. In addition to the excavation work, a geophysical survey was undertaken on a terrace at the north-western end of the hill and archaeological features, including the propped stones, were surveyed using a Total Station. Bosporthennis Approximately 800m to the east of Carn Galva, in a shallow valley, is the chamber tomb of Bosporthennis. It is a small chamber tomb of uncertain typology, which may be a Neolithic quoit (circa 4000- 3600 cal BC) or an entrance grave of Bronze Age date (circa 2500-1500 cal BC). The chamber was partially excavated in the 1860s and sherds from a globular urn recovered. A geophysical survey undertaken by the CAS in 2008 indicated that the monument may have originally had an oval plan with the mound extending further to the south-west. The aim of the project was therefore to recover dating evidence and establish what type of site it was. Trench 1 was located on the northern side of the tomb, where it was thought that there may have been an entrance into the chamber. Although several flints were recovered, no archaeological features were found within the trench. However, the section revealed that there was a break in the kerb, which had been infilled with dark soil, redeposited natural clay and small stones. This deposit may represent the blocking of an entrance into the chamber. Trench 2 was located on the southern side of the tomb in the area of the geophysical anomaly. Within this area a substantial deposit of soil was found which is likely to correspond with the geophysical feature. This layer may have been displaced material, derived from the mound. The section revealed that the kerb was missing in this area and it is likely that the site had been ploughed into its current shape. A large number of flints were recovered from this trench and, importantly, a shallow gully and postholes were also uncovered. The date of these features is currently uncertain but it is possible that they represent traces of a prehistoric structure. The trenches have also shed further light on the original setting of the tomb. Once the ploughsoil had been removed it became evident that the surface of the field had not always been level, and that the site had been constructed on a knoll, which was rocky on the southern side.  A geophysical survey was also undertaken in the fields surrounding the tomb and all the sites were surveyed using a Total Station EDM. No major features were detected around the tomb; however, a number of pit-type anomalies were recorded Summary The Carn Galva project has proved to be exceptionally rewarding, and has recovered important information from a small number of carefully sited excavation trenches. The excavations at Carn Galva have confirmed that there was an enclosure and this is likely to have been of prehistoric date. Prehistoric activity is also demonstrated by the few flints which were recovered from the site. The excavations at Bosporthennis were particularly exciting because it now seems likely that the chamber was originally accessed from its northern side, and that it may have had a more elongated or oval shape. The flints are indicative of prehistoric activity in the area and there may also have been a simple structure. Further analyses and radiocarbon dating are needed to confirm these findings. Andy M Jones      © 2012, Cornwall Archaeological Society Registered Charity 1055654 Excavating at Bosporthennis Excavating Trench 1 at Carn Galva Geophysical Survey at Bosporthennis Planning at Bosporthennis Trench 1 at Carn Galva enclosure Trench 2 under excavation