William Cunnington
Encyclopedia
William Cunnington was a pioneering English antiquarian
and archaeologist of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century. His work centred on excavating the barrow
s of Salisbury Plain
. The first recorded excavations at Stonehenge were done by William Cunnington & Richard Colt Hoare (archaeologists) in 1798 and again in 1810. They dug around a fallen trilithon and a fallen slaughter stone and they discovered that it had once stood up. Along with Richard Colt Hoare
, Cunnington was the subject of an exhibition at the Wiltshire Heritage Museum
in 2003. The museum is the keeper of documentation made by Cunnington at the time of his work.
Antiquarian
An antiquarian or antiquary is an aficionado or student of antiquities or things of the past. More specifically, the term is used for those who study history with particular attention to ancient objects of art or science, archaeological and historic sites, or historic archives and manuscripts...
and archaeologist of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century. His work centred on excavating the barrow
Tumulus
A tumulus is a mound of earth and stones raised over a grave or graves. Tumuli are also known as barrows, burial mounds, Hügelgrab or kurgans, and can be found throughout much of the world. A tumulus composed largely or entirely of stones is usually referred to as a cairn...
s of Salisbury Plain
Salisbury Plain
Salisbury Plain is a chalk plateau in central southern England covering . It is part of the Southern England Chalk Formation and largely lies within the county of Wiltshire, with a little in Hampshire. The plain is famous for its rich archaeology, including Stonehenge, one of England's best known...
. The first recorded excavations at Stonehenge were done by William Cunnington & Richard Colt Hoare (archaeologists) in 1798 and again in 1810. They dug around a fallen trilithon and a fallen slaughter stone and they discovered that it had once stood up. Along with Richard Colt Hoare
Richard Colt Hoare
Sir Richard Colt Hoare, 2nd Baronet FRS was an English antiquarian, archaeologist, artist, and traveller of the 18th and 19th centuries, the first major figure in the detailed study of the history of his home county, Wiltshire.-Career:Hoare was descended from Sir Richard Hoare, Lord Mayor of...
, Cunnington was the subject of an exhibition at the Wiltshire Heritage Museum
Wiltshire Heritage Museum
The Wiltshire Heritage Museum, formerly known as Devizes Museum, is a museum, archive and library and art gallery in Devizes, Wiltshire, England. The museum was established and is still run by, the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society , a registered charity founded in 1853. After...
in 2003. The museum is the keeper of documentation made by Cunnington at the time of his work.