About


Reading the Hurlers is a community geo-archaeological project focusing on the early Bronze Age site of the Hurlers stone circles, near the village of Minions, on Bodmin Moor, Cornwall.

By undertaking a geological survey of the moor’s granite resources, and by producing a profile of the area’s granite, the project will aim to identify the sources of granite which the standing stones of the Hurlers were quarried from. 

In September 2016 the project carried out an archaeological excavation with Cornwall Archaeology Unit, to look at a  potential new site, situated very close to the Hurler’s complex. 

Volunteers played a significant role in the gathering and recording of geological data and in the archaeological excavation.  This excavation is supported by a grant from Cornwall Archaeological Society and members of CAS took part in the excavation alongside members of Saltash U3A. 

Financial support from Cornwall Heritage Trust has meant that Reading the Hurlers will also include a comprehensive programme of school visits and activities.  For more information and for schools who would like to take part, please contact the Project Co-ordinator, Emma Stockley
 
The Reading the Hurlers project been funded from the Heritage Lottery Fund, along with financial support from Cornwall Archaeological Society, heritage organisations and the support of many individuals.



Reading the Hurlers is managed by Project Co-ordinators Calum Beeson and Emma Stockley 


Calum Beeson

 

Calum is a field geologist who has focused his skills on those aspects of geology that are visible and determinable by field research.

Having gained his honours degree in Applied Geology at Plymouth University he worked in several areas and later became a self employed geologist working on site investigations and geological outreach to the wider community.

During the Caradon Hill Area Heritage Project (CHAHP) Calum lead many geology based walks and talks and frequently help lead the school trips as part of the outreach program. In 2013 the CHAHP excavation at the Hurlers lead to Calum’s realisation that the Hurlers had far more details to reveal which were written in the geology of the stones themselves. From this a co-operation with archaeologist Emma Stockley was developed and the idea of “Reading the Hurlers” was born.

In September 2014 Calum was hired by the Camborne School of Mines, part of Exeter University, where his experience was put to good use helping with the geology degree program. As Teaching Lab Manager and Senior Technician his job role is large and varied.

Calum supports all practical teaching including the maintenance of all the optical microscopes as well as the geological field trips for the students. He is also responsible for the three geological specimen collections; the student reference collection, the teaching reference collection and the world famous and internationally important Camborne School of Mines Museum's Mineral Collection.


Emma Stockley


Emma is an archaeologist who divides her time between project work on Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor. She is the Archaeological Project Coordinator for Reading the Hurlers. 

Emma's role in the project is to provide archaeological training and expertise and along with Calum Beeson, lead and deliver the programme of school visits.

Emma's passion is community archaeology and working with volunteers.  In her spare time she loves walking on the moors or kayaking around the coast of Cornwall with her husband and children.

It goes without saying that after two years of fundraising and project development, Emma is incredibly excited to see Reading the Hurlers being made a reality.