By Bridie Adams

EXCAVATIONS at a historic Herefordshire site could unearth new discoveries – and you’re invited to see for yourself.

Visitors to Arthur’s Stone, a Neolithic burial chamber with a complex structural history, will witness the excavations in tours run by English Heritage volunteers.

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Ginny Slade, volunteer manager at English Heritage, said: “The evocative Arthur’s Stone continues to attract worldwide attention, so it is a real privilege for us to be able to offer the chance for members of the public to come and witness the excavations.”

The archaeological team, led by Professor Julian Thomas at University of Manchester and Professor Keith Ray from Cardiff University, will excavate a passage that enters the monument from the west. This is an area which has never been excavated before. They will also be exploring three areas in nearby fields, which are thought to contain a prehistoric quarry and a previously undiscovered monument.

Professor Thomas said: “Our ongoing work to better understand this incredible site has already proved very fruitful. This year we are excavating on a modest scale but could potentially uncover some significant findings that will help us piece together how Arthur’s Stone was built, and what its relationship might be to various Neolithic architectural traditions.”

The archaeologists began excavating the site last summer as part of an ongoing project to investigate early prehistoric Herefordshire.

Arthur’s Stone is nearly 6,000 years old and is formed of nine upright stones and an enormous 30-foot, 25-tonne capstone. The ancient site has links to King Arthur who, it is said, killed an almighty giant on the capstone, leaving indentations on its surface.

Tours starting from Arthur’s Stone will take place three times daily between from July 2 to July 23, except on Saturdays.