The ‘King of Stonehenge' -

The ‘King of Stonehenge' - the grave of the Amesbury Archer is one of the most important discoveries in Europe. Found near Stonehenge, the burial is over 4000 years old. It is one of the earliest bell beaker graves in Britain. 

The archer was 35–45 years old when he died and placed in a wooden chamber beneath a low mound. 

His left kneecap was missing which would have caused him to have a bad limp.  As a result, he had a straight left leg that swung out to the side while walking, and he likely experienced constant pain from a bone infection. 

Tests on the enamel of his teeth indicate that he grew up in central Europe, but it is unclear how long he lived in Britain. He likely spent his childhood in the Alps region, specifically in Switzerland, Austria, or Germany.

The discovery of the Amesbury Archer is significant because he is the first example of a powerful elite. His grave contained an unusually large number and variety of objects. 

They include five beaker pots, 18 arrowheads, two bracers (archer’s wristguards), four boars’ tusks, 122 flint tools, three copper knives, a pair of gold hair ornaments, and a cushion stone. 

The gold and copper metal objects are currently the oldest found in Britain. Many of the other finds have strong continental links. Although he was buried with archery equipment the presence of the cushion stone suggests he was a metalworker.

Metalworking was a new skill and he may have brought this technique with him to Britain. This knowledge could have made him a powerful man explaining his wealthy burial. 

In continental Europe metalworkers’ burials were often very elaborate.

You can see this amazing chap in Salisbury Museum, Wiltshire, England.