The excavation that began in 1966 at Calis Corner, Kimpton, was a significant archaeological discovery made possible by the landowner, William Flambert, who had a lifelong interest in archaeology and recognized the importance of the site. The plowing of the field repeatedly uncovered compacted flints, prompting Mr. Flambert to invite the Andover Archaeological Society (AAS) to conduct a study.
At the time, AAS, led by Max Dacre, had initially been given just one month to complete the research before the fall plowing began. However, as work progressed with the help of volunteers on weekends, it became evident that the site warranted more thorough investigation. The deadline was extended, and the work was ultimately completed in 1970. The comprehensive scientific excavations conducted by AAS gained recognition within the archaeological community, and the results were eventually published in the Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society in 1981.
The excavation at Calis Corner revealed a Bronze Age cremation cemetery that had been in use for an astounding 1,500 years. The site also showed evidence of Late Neolithic activity. Situated just ten miles east of the Wessex Neolithic henge monuments of Woodhenge and Durrington Walls, and adjacent to the Harrow Way, an important prehistoric road connecting Wessex and Kent, Calis Corner held a prominent location within a broader prehistoric landscape.
The earliest activity at the site dated back to the Neolithic period, focusing on three large sarsen stones, possibly naturally occurring. In the Early Bronze Age (2000-1500 BC), cremation burials were placed in deep pits. Later, a circle of small sarsen stones was erected on a flint platform, along with a designated fire platform for cremations and 22 urns covered with flint shells, six of which contained cremated remains.
The Middle and Late Bronze Age (1500-600 BC) saw the most extensive activity at the site. A large flint platform was constructed for cremation burials, and it underwent four extensions. Different types and phases of burials were identified, including the presence or absence of flint kirps (a type of flint tool) over burials, suggesting shifts in funerary practices. The site featured five distinct clusters of burials, possibly representing family groups, with a range of ages and genders and few associated artifacts, indicating a relatively egalitarian community without a pronounced social hierarchy.
What sets Calis Corner apart is its continuous use over an extended period, with consistent practices in the use of fire sites, bone burning and crushing methods, and platform construction techniques spanning centuries. This archaeological site provides valuable insights into the cultural and social practices of the people who inhabited it throughout the Bronze Age.