Due to the density of archaeological sites found in Scilly many have featured in Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register over the past 20 years, and this year is no different (with a total of 8 new Scilly additions); however there are some exciting changes as overall 10 Scilly sites have been removed from the register following stable or improving classifications.

For those that aren't aware Scilly is home to a remarkable historic landscape, in which many hundreds of well-preserved prehistoric monuments survive. By far the majority are cairns and chambered tombs of the early Bronze Age.

Yet the beauty of the islands can make sites difficult to manage; with access limited by weather and tides and sites overwhelmed by scrub, bracken, and invasive species like New Zealand Flax which need to be removed.

This year seven cairns and tombs are among the sites that have been added to the 2018 Heritage at Risk Register, a list of the nation’s most important historical sites which are at risk from lack of care and management.

Four Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAM's) have been removed from the 2018 Register, solely due to the efforts of the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust Ranger Team and follow-up work by local volunteers of the local Community Archaeology Group.

The sites include the prehistoric entrance grave on the Carn of Works, Gugh and the Cairn near Helvear on St Mary’s. 

The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust is working closely with Historic England to raise awareness of many of these features, clear them of vegetation and restore them as features in the landscape, for people to enjoy.

The Trust supports the Community Archaeology Group volunteers, who are enthusiastic about archaeology, with this work throughout the year; this is kindly made possible with additional funding from the Isles of Scilly Area of Outstanding Beauty.

If you would like to become a part of this exciting, important and transformational work across Scilly then keep an eye out for the monthly Community Archaeology Group sessions supported by the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust.

If you can't join us on one of those events then why not make a donation to the ongoing work of the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust?  Together we can ensure that Scilly's historic past survives for future generations.

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This project is part funded by DEFRA through the Isles of Scilly AONB