Ancient hedgehog discovered at Stonehenge (From Salisbury Journal)

Ancient hedgehog discovered at Stonehenge

8:10am Sunday 19th October 2008 in News

An archaeological dig at Stonehenge has unearthed an ancient passion for hedgehogs.

The chalk figurine in the shape of a hedgehog, dubbed a ‘Hengehog’, was discovered during excavations that were part of the Stonehenge Riverside Project.

It was found in a child’s grave dated to the late Bronze Age or early Iron Age.

Archaeologists were digging to the west of Stonehenge in what’s come to be known as the Palisade Ditch when they made the remarkable discovery.

It is thought to be a child’s plaything, perhaps from a doting father, who then placed it in the grave.

Dr Joshua Pollard of the Stonehenge Riverside Project was thrilled by the find: “Representational art from this period is very rare and it’s the only prehistoric depiction of a hedgehog from Britain.” Fay Vass, chief executive of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society said: “We are very excited to hear about this find; it shows humans have taken hedgehogs to their heart for many, many years!”