Geology, Archaeology and History at Beacon Hill
Geology
- In order to appreciate the origins of Beacon Hill itself, it is necessary to visualise far greater timescales, stretching back as far as 700 million years. Around this time, the rocks which make up Beacon Hill were formed when volcanic eruptions deposited layers of ash at the bottom of an ancient sea.
- About 600 million years ago intense geological activity caused the rock strata to buckle and fold resulting in the development of the characteristic landscapes of hills and rocky crags throughout the Charnwood Forest.
- This is evident on Beacon Hill where the layers of rock around the summit have been tilted steeply from the horizontal plane in which they were formed.
- Fragments of this greenish rock, known as Beacon Hill Hornstone, are to be found around the surrounding slopes - they are amongst the oldest rocks in Britain.
- Look out for the unusual rock formation shown above as you walk round the track near the summit. You will see why it has been christened the 'Old Man of Beacon Hill'.
In
the new BBC's new series First Life, Sir David Attenborough goes in search of the very first animals.
His journey begins at Beacon Hill, the area he frequented in his youth.
Series Producer Anthony Geffen said: "It was great
to go back with David Attenborough to the place where his passion for fossils first began. It is a beautiful
part of the country to visit."
Click here to see the David Attenborough's First Life
Arrival www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00vspkd/David_Attenboroughs_First_Life_Arrival
Factfile on the Charnia Fossil:
- The Charnwood Fossil - Charnia masoni – is believed to be around 560 million years old and is the oldest fossil in the country, and one of the oldest in the world.
- It looks like a leaf or a feather
- It was discovered more than 50 years ago by Leicester schoolboy Roger Mason, now a Professor in Charnwood Forest.
- Since then, more fossils have been discovered in Charnwood Forest
Archaeology
- The characteristic open landscapes of Beacon Hill may have merged thousands of years ago with the clearance of the original forest by early man.
- Today, evidence of the existence of such prehistoric cultures is seen in the form of series of earthworks, the remains of a hill fort constructed as much as 3,000 years ago during the Bronze Age.
- Bronze bracelets, an axe mould and spearheads have all been found on Beacon Hill in the vicinity of these prehistoric earthworks and are all on display at the Jewry Wall Museum, in Leicester.
- Due to its great archaeological importance, Beacon Hill is legally protected by English Heritage as a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
History
- Up until the early part of this century, Beacon Hill was part of the much larger Beaumanor Estate, owned by the Perry-Herrick family.
- In 1947, the site was purchased by Leicestershire County Council to safeguard its value as public open space for visitors.
Page Last Updated: 26 May 2011
