Archaeology
An historic landscape
Scilly is home to a remarkable historic landscape with many well-preserved prehistoric monuments. There are well over 100 Scheduled Monuments on our tenancy. These include numerous Bronze Age Scillonian Entrance Graves, many remains from the extensive Royalist defences from the 17th Century English Civil War, 19th Century kelp pits and World War II pillboxes. By far the majority are cairns and chambered tombs of the early Bronze Age.
The number of these sites and the nature of the islands can make them difficult to manage. Access can be limited by weather and tides and sites overwhelmed by scrub, bracken, and invasive species like New Zealand Flax which need to be removed. We can do little about the coastal erosion that threatens some, but we are very active when it comes to stopping ancient sites being overwhelmed by scrub and bracken.
The Community Archaeology Group volunteers work tirelessly to clear sites of vegetation and restoring them as features in the landscape for all to enjoy. Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust also works closely with Historic England to raise awareness of many of these features, and to identify research priorities and other special priorities.
The Community Archaeology Group
The Trust supports the Community Archaeology Group volunteers with this work throughout the year. This is made possible with additional funding from the Isles of Scilly National Landscape (previously known as AONB).
If you would like to become a part of this exciting, important and transformational work across Scilly then keep an eye out for the monthly Community Archaeology Group sessions supported by the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust.
Help Keep Scilly Special
