Burnt mound in Fox Hollies Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Burnt mound in Fox Hollies Park |
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Location | Fox Hollies, Birmingham, England |
Built | Bronze Age |
Official name: Burnt mound in Fox Hollies Park, 140m south east of Round Pool |
The Burnt mound in Fox Hollies Park is a very old archaeological site. It is found in Fox Hollies Park in south Birmingham, England. This special mound was built during the Bronze Age, thousands of years ago. It is called a "burnt mound" because it's a pile of stones that were heated up and used for cooking or heating water. This site is so important that it is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. This means it is protected by law.
What is a Burnt Mound?
A burnt mound is an ancient site, usually from the Bronze Age. People used these sites to heat water or cook food. They would heat stones in a fire until they were very hot. Then, they would drop these hot stones into a pit or trough filled with water. This would quickly heat the water.
This hot water could be used for many things. It might have been for cooking meat, brewing beer, or even for bathing. Over time, the heated stones would crack and break. These broken stones, along with charcoal from the fires, would build up. This created the mound we see today.
Archaeologists find burnt mounds all over the United Kingdom. They are important clues about how people lived long ago. They show us how ancient communities cooked and used resources.
The Burnt Mound at Fox Hollies Park
The burnt mound in Fox Hollies Park is shaped like an oval. It is about 14 meters long and 9 meters wide. The mound stands about 0.3 meters tall, which is less than half a meter. It might not look like much today, as it is covered in plants.
This mound was officially protected on July 24, 2002. It was listed as a Scheduled Ancient Monument by English Heritage, which is now called Historic England. This protection means the site cannot be damaged or changed. It helps keep this piece of history safe for future generations.
As of 2019, there are no signs or information boards in the park. This means many people might not even know it's there. Despite its hidden appearance, it is a valuable link to the past. It shows us that people lived and cooked in this area thousands of years ago.
Protecting Our Past
Sites like the burnt mound in Fox Hollies Park are very important. They give us a glimpse into the lives of people from the past. Protecting these sites helps us learn about history. It also helps us understand how our ancestors lived.
Historic England is the organization that protects these ancient places. They make sure that important archaeological sites are preserved. This way, archaeologists can study them. Also, everyone can learn from them in the future. It is important for all of us to respect and care for these historical treasures.