17 January 2017
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Avebury Stone Circle
Take a trip across thousands of years of history, as Royal Mail issues eight stamps which celebrate the sites and artefacts which were important to our ancient ancestors.
Take a trip across thousands of years of history, as Royal Mail issues eight stamps which celebrate the sites and artefacts which were important to our ancient ancestors.
Ancient Britain spans thousands of years of history, from the Stone Age (beginning c.11,000 years ago), through to the Iron Age of c.300BC. These centuries have little in the way of written records, yet we are able to explore what life was like for ancient Britons, thanks to a wealth of artefacts uncovered by archaeologists over the centuries.
The eight mint stamps, issued by Royal Mail on 17 January, depict sites and artefacts of British prehistory. The set comprises four stamps featuring colour photographs of ancient sites: Skara Brae, Maiden Castle, Avebury Stone Circle and Grime’s Grave Flint Mines. Each photo has been enhanced by a detailed overlay illustration by artist Rebecca Strickson, who has imagined how ancient Britons might have made use of each site – whether for work, leisure or religious ceremony.
The other four stamps in the set feature important archaeological finds: the Battersea Shield, the Starr Carr Head Dress, the Dumbest Horns and the Mold Cape. In each case, Rebecca has pictured an ancient Briton using the artefact; giving an idea of the context in which these items were used and treasured.
Stamp details
Issue date: 17 January 2017
Design: True North
Stamp format: Landscape
Stamp size: 41mm x 30mm
Printer: International Security Printers
Print process: Lithography
Perforations: 14.5 x 14
Phosphor: Bars as appropriate
Gum: PVA
1st: Skara Brae village
1st: Battersea Shield
£1.05 Maiden Castle Hill Fort
£1.05 Starr Carr Head Dress
£1.33: Avebury Stone Circle
£1.33: Drumbest horns
£1.52 Grime’s Grave Flint Mines
£1.52: Mold Cape
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